Transport group: P9 jeepney fare confusing

MANILA, Philippines — Not all routes for public utility jeepneys are covered by the P9 discounted fare to be implemented by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), an official of a transport group announced yesterday.

In a radio interview, Manibela president Mar Valbuena also criticized the move of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) after announcing the fare reduction despite the lack of mechanics for its implementation.

“The transport sector will again bear the brunt of this fare discount. The DOTr should not have made the announcement without the mechanics as it has caused confusion among jeepney drivers,” Valbuena said.

Based on a memorandum issued by the DOTr, the discounted fares will cover traditional and modern jeepneys as well as buses and UV Express.

A P3 fare rollback will be implemented for traditional jeepneys from 12 to P9, and for modern jeepneys from P14 to P11.

Valbuena said not all jeepney routes would be covered by the discounted fare.

“Commuters presume that the discounted fare covers all public utility jeepneys. How about the routes that will not be included in the discount? The jeepney drivers will be affected if they cannot avail themselves of government subsidy,” he pointed out.

Valbuena said the LTFRB should carefully study the guidelines before implementing the P9 discounted fare.

“The mindset of the passengers is that all public utility vehicles will offer fare discounts. But based on the announcement of the DOTr, PUV operators who can avail themselves of the program are those with cooperatives,” he said.

“This will be chaotic as there will be disagreement between the drivers who are not covered by the discounted fares and the passengers,” Valbuena added.

According to the DOTr, the fare discounts will be implemented instead of the free rides on the EDSA bus carousel.

Under the service contracting program, the government has allocated funding of P2.1 billion for the discounted fares, which has yet to be downloaded to the LTFRB.

The LTFRB said the discounted fares would start next month and would be in effect for six months.