5 groups eye P1 jeepney fare hike next year

MANILA, Philippines — Five transport groups are set to ask for an increase of at least P1 in jeepney fares next year.

The groups plan to file a consolidated petition for a provisional increase of P1 to P2 in the base fare for the first four kilometers for public utility jeepneys before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the first week of January, Pasang Masda president Obet Martin said.

He said the groups involved are the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Pasang Masda, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines, Land Transportation Organization of the Philippines, and Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines Inc.

This is to help jeepney drivers cope with rising diesel prices in the global market and locally due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, Martin said.

He added they were supposed to ask for a fare increase in the first week of December.

Diesel prices are expected to jump to P45 to P46 per liter by next week as the next tranche of the TRAIN law is set to take effect. 

While the expected P20,000 fuel subsidy for jeepney drivers next year is a big help, Martin said this is still but a bandaid solution for higher gasoline prices due to the TRAIN law. 

Jeepney drivers spend an average of P1,500 worth of diesel per day.