EDSA Carousel operators seek higher fares

MANILA, Philippines — Bus operators providing free rides to commuters in partnership with the government are asking for an increase in fares for the EDSA Carousel to offset the surging cost of fuel, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said yesterday.

According to LTFRB chief Cheloy Garafil, the two consortia operating the EDSA busway want higher rates for their services in offering the government-subsidized free rides.

“They are requesting for a rate adjustment. Gusto nila itaas nang kaunti para makapag-adjust sila sa gastos sa pagde-deploy ng mga buses,” Garafil said in an interview on OneNews.

The bus operators, ES Transport and Mega Manila, noted that diesel now costs at least P80 per liter.

Garafil said the bus operators want an increase in fare rates computed based on the number of kilometers traveled.

Earlier, the LTFRB said P659 million has been paid to bus operators for 10 weeks of service for the free bus rides along EDSA.

The “libreng sakay” program costs the government at least P74 million to P79 million per week.

Garafil said with the payment of over P300 million in the past two weeks, the bus companies have committed to deploy more units along EDSA so there will be no long lines of commuters waiting for rides during rush hour.

Bus drivers and conductors say they have millions of pesos in unpaid salaries.

Joji Vizconde, union leader from ES Transport, said their unpaid salaries since last year could reach around P20 million.

Aside from delayed payouts, Vizconde said the bus company laid off dozens of workers after they aired their concerns in a mass protest in February.

“Delayed ang pasahod sa bus drivers and conductors. Pero ang sabi ng LTFRB, naipasa na daw ang liquidation sa operators at consortium,” Vizconde said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on OneNews / TV5 on Tuesday.