Group wants fare hikes revoked

MANILA, Philippines — A commuter group filed on Monday a petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) seeking to revoke the new minimum fare for commuter buses and jeepneys in the wake of price rollbacks on fuel products.

United Filipino Consumers and Commuters president Rodolfo Javellana Jr. and UFCC member Arlis Acao urged the LTFRB to open talks about bringing back the base fare for public utility jeepneys to P8 from P10.

They also want to revoke the provisional fare for ordinary and air-conditioned buses from P11 and P13 respectively to P10 and P12.

The two cited the five consecutive price cuts by oil companies  as among the reasons for seeking a rollback. They also cited the assessment of experts that the trend will continue until next year.

The LTFRB said it will set a a hearing on the UFCC’s petition.

Sought for comment, Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang Masda) president Roberto Martin said it is premature to have a fare rollback.

Martin explained they first sought a fare hike petition, noting they filed a fare hike petition in September 2017 when the prices of diesel ranged from P39 to P40 per liter.

He said the prices of diesel is now at P46 to P47 per liter despite the rollbacks.

Martin lamented that it usually takes a year for the LTFRB to decide on a petition for fare increase.