Fare hike unlikely – LTFRB

Despite rising fuel prices, a transport fare increase is unlikely in the near future, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

LTFRB Chairman Dante Lantin said that the board has not scheduled a hearing on the petition filed last month by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) to increase transport fare by P1.

Lantin noted that jeepney groups are actually divided on the issue of fare hike.

While Piston has formally petitioned a fare increase, other drivers’ organizations are reportedly still monitoring the developments in the oil industry before deciding whether they are going to seek fare increase or not.

The first group to demand fare hike, however, was not Piston but the Philippine Confederation of Drivers Organizations -Alliance of Transport Organizations (PCDO-ACTO), which lodged its petition with the LTFRB last June.

In April, jeepney and bus groups had avoided seeking fare adjustments as a birthday gift to President Arroyo. However, seeing the need to adjust transport fare rates, PCDO-ACTO has initiated the move to demand for a fare hike.

Like Piston, the PCDO-ACTO is asking an additional P1 for the first five kilometers, citing the soaring costs of fuel and spare parts, expressway toll and road user’s tax. If granted, this would jack up the minimum jeepney and bus fare from P4 to P5.

The last transport fare hike in November 2001 was also based from a petition filed also by PCDO-ATCO.

According to Lantin, the LTFRB is careful in deciding on such petitions.

He said the board is trying to balance what is reasonable for transport operators and drivers and affordable for the commuting public.

"We are after the promotion of public interest.We want to study everything before making a decision," Lantin added.