Jeepney drivers ask LTFRB: Act on fare hike proposal

CEBU, Philippines — The Basak-LapuLapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association, the fare hike petitioner, will be filing a motion before Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the immediate deliberation of their petition.

"Mo-file mi og motion nga dali-on na sa LTFRB among petisyon kay nimahal na sad ang presyo sa lana karon," said Metudio Belarmino, the consultant of BALACJODA. (We will file a motion for LTFRB to immediately work on our petition because the oil prices have increased.)

Belarmino said LTFRB should not dilly-dally any fare hike petitions as jeepney drivers take home pay continues to diminish because of the high cost of fuel aside from the traffic problem.

"Nimahal na sad ang lana unya pwerte pang trapika. Dugay man mi makabalik sa among destinasyon tungod aning traffic. Ang resulta, imbis makatuyok mi og ika walo sa usa ka adlaw, mahug og tag lima na lang mi ka tuyok tungod sa trapik. Angayan na gyud unya pasakaan ang pletehan," said a jeepney driver from Consolacion town who refused to be named. (The oil prices have increased again and the traffic is getting worse.  As a result, instead of having eight round trips, we can only have five.  That is why, fare rate must be increased.)

To recall, BALACJODA filed a P2.50 provisional fare hike petition last year.

The minimum fare for jeepneys in Central Visayas will be P9 if the LTFRB board members and chairman will approve the amount.

Eduardo Montealto, LTFRB regional director, earlier said that he has already made a recommendation to their head office as to the amount of fare increase for Central Visayas.

However, he refused to disclose how much because their Central Office has the final say.

To date, Central Visayas jeepney's minimum fare is P6.50 and students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities still enjoy a 20 percent discount.

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra had said that they have formed a Technical Working Group to study the formula to adopt about the rising and decreasing prices of fuel prices in relation to jeepney fare hike. (FREEMAN)