P1-rollback for mini bus?

Operator: Lower diesel cost should benefit riding public

Cebu commuters may be the next  to receive an early Christmas gift from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

This followed the board’s grant of a   one-peso rollback in minimum fare for public utility jeepneys in Metro Manila and  neighboring provinces effective this week.

Cebu South Mini Bus Operators Association president Jolito Flores said he’s  had initial talks with the LTFRB about their  plan to file a petition for a rollback as well.

“We want to decrease the (minimum) fare in Cebu  from P6 to P5 for the first five kilometers, then  for every succeeding kilometer from P1.20 to P1,” said Flores.

But something can be done even while  waiting for the petition to be filed and decided.

Flores said he would  ask the regional offices of LTFRB, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, and other transport groups to reach an  agreement to go ahead and implement reduced fare rates.

“While our petition is being processed, we want commuters to experience the benefits of cheap oil since we, transport groups, are enjoying it already,”  said Flores.

Governor  Davide said he still has to study the proposal.

“I would also need the Provincial Board’s authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement,” he told reporters.

Nonetheless, Davide  welcomed the idea of a fare reduction in the province as a  Christmas gift to commuters.

“Before, we’ve constantly heard of prices increasing. It’s time they go down,” said Davide.

Last month,  former Cebu City councilor Augustus Pe Jr. filed a petition asking the LTFRB to reduce the PUJ minimum fare  from P7.50 to P7.

The LTFRB has set a public hearing on the petition on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The LTFRB order for a one-peso rollback  also covers PUJs plying routes in Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.

The order takes effect after publication in newspapers scheduled today.

The  fare for the first four kilometers will be reduced from P8.50 to P7.50. Succeeding kilometers will still be charged P1.50 each.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said  the board implemented the rollback “because of the continued decrease of diesel prices in the world market.” The average price of diesel per liter is now  P33.

The LTFRB, in its statement, said the PUJ minimum fare has been dictated by the fluctuating diesel prices for the last five years.

In 2009, diesel price was pegged at P23 per liter. In 2011, the price went up to P37.75 per liter, resulting in a hike in minimum fares from P7 to P8.

In 2012, diesel prices went up to P48 per liter, prompting a minimum fare hike of 50 centavos.

“A P1 reduction would be a big help in the savings of the [riding] public, especially this Christmas season,” Ginez said in Filipino.
As of  Tuesday, diesel price was pegged at P34.25 per liter.

In 2010, LTFRB imposed a minimum bus fare of P8.50 for the first five kilometers and P1.45 for every succeeding kilometer.

In the same year, transport groups, CSMBOA included, filed  a petition to reduce fares in the province and were successful in taking prices down to its present level./with correspondent Michelle Joy Padayhag and an Inquirer report