Transport office asked to measure distance from Colon to Apas

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 is asking the Cebu City Transportation Office to measure the route from Colon Street downtown to Barangay Apas / I.T. Park uptown so that fare can be determined properly following the recent P.50 reduction.

The request came after a resident of Barangay Apas expressed concern that the reduction might cause confusion between driver and passenger.

In a letter addressed to LTFRB-7 director Rey Elnar that was published in The Freeman, Anne Serana Martel said drivers traversing this route might not comply with the order like what happened in the past.

“With the implementation of a new mi-nimum PUJ fare on February 8, I would like to bring to your attention the blatant disregard of the correct fare Apas route drivers have been committing against passengers. I am afraid the new minimum fare would again be ignored,” Martel said.

Elnar, for his part, said it would be easier for LTFRB to issue a fare matrix if distance is determined properly, something that the city traffic office can do.

“Ako-ang hangyu-on si Joy Tumulak aron ma-determine ang sukod sa ruta og sa landmark… basta naa na tay measure sa distance sa CCTO, dali ra na nato ma-issue ang fare matrix,” Elnar said.

Tumulak is the operations chief of CCTO.

Elnar said LTFRB has not received any complaint of overcharging on the part of drivers following the reduction of fare to P7 from P7.50. 

“So far, wa pa ko kadawat og complaint maybe because kay holiday man,” he said.

Elnar encouraged passengers to report drivers who will not heed the reduction order. Those found guilty of overcharging may be fined P5,000.  (FREEMAN)