LTFRB set to hear petition on taxi, PUJ fare rates

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the proposed adjustments for fare rates in taxi and public utility jeepney (PUJ) services on Monday.

The public hearing, slated September 21, 9 a.m., is expected to tackle a petition that aims for the reduction of fare rate for metered taxi services from the existing P3.50 to P2.50 for every succeeding meters. Rate reduction for airport taxi services will also be discussed.

Also projected to be tackled in the hearing is the increase of fares of taxi service in Metro Manila and provinces from P3.50 to P5 for every to minutes of waiting time, as proposed by a separate petition.

Aside from taxi service, fare rate for PUJ services in Metro Manila and parts of regions 3 and 4 might also be discussed during the hearing. 

The public hearing will be conducted following petitions filed by a lawmaker and taxi operators appealing for the fare adjustments.

On a public notice posted on its official Twitter account, the LTFRB invited and encourage the public interested for the mentioned topics to participate and engage in the discussions.

Last August 7, Negros Oriental Rep. and former LTFRB board member Manuel Iway filed two petitions to reduce the fare rates for regular and airport taxi services as well as PUJ services for Metro Manila and parts of Regions 3 and 4.

Aside from Iway, the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association also filed a petition last August 6 to otherwise increase the fares in Metro Manila and provinces. The plea was filed by its vice president Leo Carlo San Juan.

Public Hearing of Petitions for Fare Rollback/Increase for Taxis & Jeeps will be heard on Monday, Sept 21, 9:00 AM. pic.twitter.com/OGWdIuqDhZ

— LTFRB_CHAIRMAN (@LTFRB_Chairman) September 19, 2015