Jeepney passengers in Central Visayas will start paying P7 instead of P7.50 minimum fare.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued last Jan. 9 an order approving a “provisional rollback” in the minimum fare for jeepneys in the region.
The order was signed by LTFRB Chairman Winston Gines and board members Ronaldo Corpuz and Antonio Enrile-Inton, the LTFRB. It said the provisional rollback is “without prejudice” to the board’s final decision on the main petition filed by former Cebu City councilor Augustus Pe Jr.
They said during the public hearing held last Dec. 17 attended by various transport and consumers groups that only one group opposed the the “much sought-after fare reduction.”
Stakeholders stated their “conformity” with the proposed 50 centavo-reduction for the first five kilometers.
Speed up
However, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) Cebu chapter called for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law. Others proposed a mechanism to speed up adjustments in fares.
“The spate of rollbacks in fuel and petroleum prices for the past few months cannot be disregarded.
The considerable decrease in fuel prices applies as well to Central Visayas,” the LTFRB order reads.
Pe stated in his petition that current fuel prices are of the same level in 2008 when the minimum fare for jeepneys was P7 for the first five kilometers.
This claim was not put in question during the public hearing, the LTFRB further stated.
Taxi fare reduction
The LTFRB also issued an order last Friday directing all the regional offices to hold a public hearing for taxi fare reduction on Jan. 16.
The order is in response to a petition filed by Negros Oriental Rep. Ramon Iway calling for a taxi fare reduction nationwide.
“The prices of gasoline as well as the situation and views on taxi fare reduction vary in every region,” Inton told Cebu Daily News in a phone interview. Iway asked the LTFRB to reduce the minimum flag-down rate for taxis from P40 to P30 and to cut by P1 the P3.50 charged for every waiting time of two minutes as well as for every succeeding 300 meters.
Iway cited the decline in oil prices worldwide as a reason for the petition. Inton said after the hearing, no provisional reduction fare was recommended.
“We are also asking the oppositors to submit their opposition papers within seven days,” Inton said./With Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag
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LTFRB approves P1 provisional jeepney fare rollback in NCR
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