Bus fare hike looms

CEBU, Philippines - The bus and mini-bus operators in Cebu yesterday requested Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to reduce the parking fee collected from them at the Cebu South Bus Terminal.

Bus operators threatened to increase their fare if the Economic Enterprise Council chaired by Garcia denies their request, to recover the parking fee which is P200 per entry.

Richard Corominas and Julito Flores, presidents of the Cebu Bus Operators Association and Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association, respectively, met with Garcia at the Capitol to personally hand in their letter requests.

Corominas is asking the EEC to only collect 30 percent increase for the buses instead of the 100 percent it has implemented starting this month. While Flores is asking of a 20 percent increase only.

Flores said that the operators might be forced to file a petition for fare increase before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) should their requests be denied.

According to Flores, they might ask for the reinstatement of the P8.50 minimum fare for the first five kilometers and P1.45 for succeeding kilometer.

Bus operators are currently charging P6.00 minimum fare for the first five kilometers and P1.20 for succeeding kilometer. The special rate was implemented last year upon the request of Garcia in behalf of the commuters.

 Garcia however warned the bus and mini bus operators that they cannot just increase their fare.

“Dili mahimo nga patas-an ang plete kay naa ni epekto sa riding public. Naa pod tay LTFRB-mandated rates nga maoy sundon and they could not go beyond it,” Garcia said.

The Capitol started implementing the 100 percent increase in the parking fee on November 1 after it has also lifted the P5 terminal fee for the passengers.

The Capitol also restored the P5 fee for the use of the comfort room in the terminal.

Garcia explained that this is part of the system that the EEC has approved to institute following the lifting of the terminal fee.

“It is an executive call. I am responsible in running the government and this (CSBT) is a government-run entity. Let me assure the public, that we have instituted a system before we lifted it (P5 terminal fee),” said Garcia.

Garcia clarified that she is only bringing back the P5 fee for the use of the CR which has been there even before she became governor.

“The comfort room fee has been there already since time immemorial. Wala pa ko na-gobernador naa na na. Ato lang nang gibalik karon kay para man sad na sa maintenance ug dili man sad ang tanang tawo moadto’g terminal para mogamit og cr kundi para mo-sakay,” said Garcia. —  (FREEMAN)