Bus operators shelve reinstatement plan

CEBU, Philippines - Operators of buses and mini-buses plying the southern and northern part of Cebu have agreed to defer their plan to reinstate the 2011 approved bus fares.

Julieto Flores, spokesperson of the bus operators, said they are still waiting to hear from Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on their another request to defer the implementation of  LTFRB Resolution No. 2013-001 issued on  January 11, 2013.

Bus operators who belong to the North and South Operators Association, Cebu South Mini-bus Operators Association and Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association have submitted such request two months ago and until now, there is no action yet from LTFRB.

“If LTFRB will grant our request, di na namo ipadayon ang pag-reinstate sa fares pero og ilang i-deny ang among request, among ipadayon ang maong petition for fare reinstatement,” said Flores.

Currently, bus operators in Cebu are implementing a much lower fare contrary to the LTFRB approved bus fares in 2011.

LTFRB approved an P8.50 bus fare for the first five kilometers and another P1.45 for every succeeding kilometer.

Bus operators, on the other hand, only collects P6.00 fare for the first five kilometers and another P1.20 for every succeeding kilometer at present.

The reinstatement of the LTFRB approved bus fares still needs an approval by LTFRB before it can be implemented.

LTFRB’s Resolution No. 2013-001 mandated bus operators to acquire brand new buses and mini-buses as a replacement to their units which are over 15 years old, the age limit for buses allowed to ply on the roads for safety reasons.

Bus operators nationwide are given by LTFRB until October this year to comply with this regulation.

Since it would cost around P4.5 million to acquire a brand new bus unit, Flores said that Cebu’s bus and mini-bus operators requested LTFRB to give them another five years or until 2018 to comply with the requirement.  (FREEMAN)