LTFRB public hearing on fare hike set today

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) is inviting transport groups and passengers to join the public hearing on petitions to increase the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) today.

The public hearing, scheduled at 10 a.m. at the LTFRB-7 office, will open discussions on the two pending fare hike petitions from the Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Citrasco) and Basak Lapu-Lapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association, Inc. – National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Visayas (Balacjoda-NCTU).

The current minimum fare in Cebu and in Central Visayas is P6.50. LTFRB granted a provisional fare reduction of P0.50 from the P7 minimum fare in February 8, 2016.

Citrasco now seeks to bring back the minimum fare to P7.

Balacjoda-NCTU, meanwhile, is asking for a P1.50 fare increase.

“We have invited representatives of passenger groups like women, students, workers and senior citizens,” said LTFRB-7 regional director Ahmed Cuizon.

According to Citrasco chairman and general manager Ryan Benjamin Yu, the group is ready to present its case in Monday’s hearing.

Yu said that the increase in the minimum fare of PUJs is already long overdue and long clamored for by PUJ drivers.

“The urgency of increasing the minimum fare is already needed by our drivers. We are pushing for that. A P1 increase is not even enough, but we will fight for another increase in the coming period,” Yu said.

Yu explained that the group would have wanted a P2 increase in the minimum fare instead of just P1, which they already filed last April.

But doing so would mean they will have to file an amended petition which may cause further delays for the proposed increase.

Citrasco has about 1,000 PUJs operating mostly within Cebu City. About 20 to 30 percent of its members are also operating in the cities of Mandaue and Talisay.

For his part, Cuizon said they will comprehensively consider all sides and sectors regarding the petitions.

“We’ll hear the pros and cons of the proposed fare hikes. These will form part of the transcript we will endorse in support of our recommendation to LTFRB Central Office, which will ultimately decide on the matter,” he said.