Bus operators meeting with Magpale soon

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu bus and mini-bus operators are set to have a meeting with Acting Governor Agnes Magpale within the week to ask the Provincial Government to lower the parking fee at the South Bus Terminal.

Julito Flores, president of the Cebu South Mini-Bus Operators Association, said that in case their  meeting with Magpale will not yield  positive results, they will be forced to implement the fare as approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Flores said that the newly-implemented parking fee for buses and mini-buses at the terminal is quite expensive.

 The Provincial Government increased bus parking fee from P100 to P200 per entry and an entrance fee of P20 for taxicabs per entry from the previous P10 effective October 31, 2012.

Bus and mini-bus operators will be seeking a reduction of the parking fee per entry from P200 to P150  for buses and from P200 to P140  for mini-buses.

Last November, bus operators submitted a letter request for reconsideration to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who is now suspended, but they failed to get a favorable action.

There are 230 bus and mini buses using the CSBT.

Mini-buses travelling from Cebu City to Carcar City and Sibonga town are entering the terminal at least three times in a day and two times a day for those reaching Barili and Dumanjug towns.

Buses normally entered at the said terminal only once a day.

According to the bus operators, the increase in parking fee imposed by the Provincial Government is exorbitant.

Flores earlier said that if their request will not be granted, they will be forced to implement the fare approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board few years ago, which is P8.50 for the first five kilometers and P1.45 for the next kilometers.

Currently, bus operators are undercharging their passengers by collecting only  P6 for the five kilometers and P1.20 for the next kilometers citing stiff competitions.  (FREEMAN)