50¢ cut in bus fares implemented today until Jan. 6

Here’s a holiday reprieve for bus riders in Metro Manila.

Starting today until Jan. 6, the public will enjoy a 50-centavo "provisional fare reduction" in bus fares, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said yesterday.

The LTFRB move followed the granting of a cut in the minimum fares for passenger jeepneys, although LTFRB Chairman Thompson Lantion noted that the reduced bus fares do not cover Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.

"This would only be implemented during the Christmas season as a gift to the riding public," Lantion told The STAR.

The 50-centavo fare cut applies to both air-conditioned and ordinary, or non air-conditioned public utility buses (PUBs). This means that ordinary buses must only charge a minimum of P7.50 per passenger, while aircon bus riders must only pay a minimum of P9.50.

Minimum charges are reduced for the first four kilometers of travel only.

Lantion said that the succeeding kilometer would be charged the same.

He emphasized that the same applies to the discounted fares of senior citizens, students and the disabled.

Senior citizens, students and the disabled are entitled to a 20-percent discount for the whole stretch of their travel whether by passenger bus or jeepney.

The provisional fare reduction for PUBs end on Jan. 7 when the old minimum rates of P8 for ordinary and P10 for aircon buses would be reapplied, Lantion said.

On the other hand, the 50-centavo fare cut for passenger jeepneys would continue unless another order is issued, but only after a petition for a fare increase has been filed, heard and decided upon by the LTFRB board.

Lantion said that a homeowners’ organization from Barangay Sta. Lucia in Novaliches led by its lawyer had filed a petition for 50-centavo fare reduction for aircon and ordinary PUBs.

The petition, he said, was not opposed by any of the transport groups rather, it was met with support. And having no opposition, the LTFRB approved it.

Prior to this, the homeowners’ organization met with bus organizations like the Intercity Bus Operators Association, Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association and North East Manila Bus Operators Association last December, Lantion earlier said.

He also said that the hearings for other petitions would continue such as on the 10-centavo fare reduction for the succeeding kilometers after the first four kilometers for passenger jeepneys.

The hearings will resume next month, Lantion said.