CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) -7 has urged the public to attend today's public hearing on the two fare hike petitions filed by transport groups in Cebu.
LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said the public hearing will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Cebu Normal University in Cebu City.
"I'm urging those who will be most affected by the proposed jeepney fare hike such as students, senior citizens and workers to attend the hearing so they can officially register their stand on the issue. They should stand up for their rights and be counted," said Cuizon.
To recall, the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-purpose Cooperative (CITRASCO) and the Basak Lapu-Lapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association Inc- National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Visayas (BALACJODA) filed their respective petitions before the regional office of LTFRB last February 10, 2017.
Based on its petition, CITRASCO asked LTFRB to grant an upward adjustment of P1.50 in the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Region 7 only during peak hours, or from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily.
CITRASCO added that beyond the hours indicated, the prevailing minimum fare of P 6.50 for the first five kilometers will be applicable.
The BALACJODA also filed a separate petition seeking to increase the PUJ minimum fare of P1.50 for the first five kilometers and another P1.50 increase on top of the proposed minimum fare during the traffic hours, or an increase in minimum fare from P6.50 to P8.00.
To illustrate, if the petition of BALACJODA is approved, passengers commuting during the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily will be paying at least P9.50, with the minimum fare for the first five kilometers being increased to P8.00 added with the peak hour premium of P1.50.
Both petitioners cited increases in the prices of fuel and the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Cebu as cause for fare hike.
Both petitioners also wanted to increase the take home pay of PUJ drivers. (FREEMAN)