MANILA, Philippines — A nationwide P1 provisional jeepney fare increase has been approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
This will mean that fare for the traditional jeepneys will be increased from P12 to P13.
The fare for modern jeepneys will also go up from P14 to P15.
The adjustments will be effective on Sunday, October 8, for both traditional and modern jeepneys.
LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III said provisional increase is temporary.
“Because there were already 11 price increase(s), itong binigay namin ay, in my words, pantawid lamang po ito habang nililitis namin ‘yung kanilang kahilingan, which would be the permanent increase,” Guadiz told reporters after the hearing on the matter.
(Because there were already 11 price increases, what we gave was, in my words, it’s just bridging the gap while we are hearing their request, which would be the permanent increase.)
Guadiz added the implementation period of the provisional increase will be under the prerogative of LTFRB.
No new fare matrixes will be enforced.
The increase will only affect the base fare, and not the succeeding kilometers.
P5 proposed a permanent increase
Pasang Masda, Association of Concerned Transport Organizations (Acto), and Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Altodap) filed a petition for a P1 provisional increase, while its proposed P5 fare hike (and P1 per kilometer thereafter) is still being reviewed.
According to Guadiz, the decision on the proposed permanent increase will still have to be carefully studied carefully by LTFRB board.
He said the agency is taking into consideration the effects of the additional fares on commuters and the country’s inflation rate.
“Nothing is definite as of now,” said Guadiz.
When asked if there is a chance the petition could be resolved within the year, Guadiz responded: “Mahirap sabihin dahil kailangan po talaga ng masusing pag aaral.”
(It’s hard to say because it really needs a thorough study.)