Bus operators seek fare hike

CEBU, Philippines - Three transport groups in Cebu are set to file within the week a petition to reinstate the bus fare the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved in 2011.

Bus operators belonging to the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA), Cebu South Mini-bus Operators Association, and North and South Operators Association will meet today to discuss the matter.

“Initially mao na ang among na agree-han nga mo-file gyud mi og (We have agreed to really file for a) petition to reinstate the approved fare,” said Julieto Flores, spokesperson for the three transport groups.

Currently, due to stiff competition, bus operators only implemented a fare of P6 for the first five kilometers and P1.20 for the succeeding kilometer.

The LTFRB approved fare, however, is P8.50 for the first five kilometers and P1.45 for the succeeding kilometer.

To recall, the LTFRB approved the petition for fare reduction filed by former Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, CPBOA, and the United Mini-Bus Operators’ Association, in May 2011, making fares in Central Visayas different from that of the rest of the country.

The recent plan of the bus operators came a week after the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Cooperative (CITRASCO) filed a petition to increase public utility jeepney’s minimum fare by P2.50. If approved, minimum fare would already be P10 from the current P7.50.

CITRASCO cited in its petition the rising prices of spare parts that force jeepney operators to increase rental.

Flores explained that on the part of the bus operators, they wanted to reinstate the approved fare due to several requirements imposed on them by LTFRB.

These requirements include the phasing out of old buses or those beyond 15 years and replaced them with new ones.

“Mao na ang among problema ron kung asa na ipamutang ang mga (It is now our problem where to put the) old units. Besides, acquiring a new bus is very expensive. It would cost us around P4.5 million for one unit alone,” Flores said.

Cebu currently has around 600 buses and mini-buses, 30 percent of which, or around 150 units, would no longer be allowed to ply their routes comes October this year.

The three transport groups have already filed two weeks ago a request for moratorium on the implementation of LTFRB Resolution No. 2013-001.

The resolution, issued Jan. 11, 2013, mandated the strict observance of the 15-year limit for buses and mini-buses even if the units were issued a certificate of road worthiness by LTFRB’s Motor Vehicle Inspection Section.

The transport groups contended that they are not yet ready for the modernization program because of the financial burden operators have to bear in acquiring brand new units.

LTFRB suspended implementation of the resolution in February 2013 amid opposition by bus operators but revived it September last year.

Flores said they asked LTFRB in their petition that operators be given five years, or until 2018, to comply with the said resolution.

“As of now, wala pa mi nakadawat og (we have not yet receive any) feedback sa (from)  LTFRB regarding sa among request,” Flores added. — /RHM (FREEMAN)