THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the fare increase in traditional and modern jeepneys, public utility buses (PUB), taxi and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) on Friday, following the petitions filed by transport groups early this year.

In the decision released by the Board Friday, a P1 provisional increase was approved for traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJ) and modern PUJs (MPUJ) for the first 4 kilometers. Upon effectivity of the decision, the minimum fare for TPUJs will be P12 and for MPUJs, P14.

There will also be an additional fare of P0.30 per succeeding kilometer for TPUJs and P0.40 per succeeding kilometer for MPUJs.

Based on the increase, the fare for the succeeding kilometer run for TPUJs will be P1.80, from the current P1.50, while for MPUJs, P2.20 from P1.80 previously.

The following are the current, petitioned and approved fare rates of TPUJs and MPUJs:

current petition approved

TPUJ

Base fare P11.00 P14.00 P12.00

Per km P1.50 P2.50 P1.80

MPUJ

Base fare P13.00 P16.00 P14.00

Per km P1.80 P2.80 P2.20

As for PUBs, the operators asked for P4 to P7 base fare hikes, with the per succeeding kilometer rate ranging from P0.45 to P1.20.

However, the Board only approved a P2 uniformed base fare increase for city and provincial buses for the first 5 kilometers and the succeeding kilometer fare increase of P0.35 to P0.50 depending on the type of bus.

The following are the current, petitioned and approved fare rates of PUBs:

current petition approved

City bus (ordinary) P11 P15 P13

Per km P1.85 P2.70 P2.25

City bus (aircon) P13/2.20 P20 P15

Per km P2.20 P3.40 P2.65

Provincial bus (ordinary) P9 P15 P11

Per km P1.55 P2.00 P1.90

Provincial (deluxe) per km P1.75 P2.50 P2.10

Prov (S deluxe) per km P1.95 P2.60 P2.35

Provincial (luxury) per km P2.40 P3.60 P2.90

LTFRB also increased the flag down rate of taxis and TNVS by P5. Upon effectivity of the decision, the minimum fare for taxis and sedan-type TNVS will be P45, while AUV/SUV-type TNVS will be at P55. For hatchback-type TNVS, flag down rate will be P35. There will be no increase in the succeeding kilometers

The following are the current, petitioned and approved fare rates of taxis and TNVS:

current petition approved

Taxi

Flag down rate P40 P60 P45

Per km P2 P2

TNVS

Sedan P40 P60 (20) P45

AUV/SUV P50 P70 (20) P55

Hatchback/SUV P30 P50 (20) P35

The 20 percent discount for senior citizens, persons with disability and students will still be effective.

LTFRB earlier said it recognized the need for a fare increase following the continuing rise of oil prices and that it consulted the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Energy on the matter.

In the decision released by LTFRB, the agency said it conducted a study through its Franchise Planning and Monitoring Division (FPMD).

FPMD used the fare adjustment formula based on Memorandum Circular 2019-035, the opinion of different stakeholders, increasing operational cost of PUVs and the opinion of NEDA.

Moving forward, LTFRB said, it is reminding drivers to follow the guidelines and policies of the agency, and to adhere to public health safety protocols. Violations will be dealt with accordingly, it added.

‘Mayroong due process’

Samantala, nagpasalamat ang commuter at transport group sa liderato ng LTFRB sa ibinigay na dagdag na pamasahe sa lahat ng mga public transportation.

Ayon kay Atty. Ariel Inton, founder ng Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, binase ng LTFRB ang desisyon sa mga prevailing economic indicators at umiiral na mga memorandum circulars.

Nagkaroon din ng due process dahil extensive ang hearing na ginawa ng Board upang marinig ang panig ng lahat.

Bagamat may increase ay hindi naman ibinigay ng LTFRB ang halaga na hiningi ng mga transport operators. Mas malaki ang kahilingan nila kaysa ang ipinagkaloob. Ibig sabihin ay kinunsidera rin ng LTFRB ang kakayanan at kapakanan ng mga pasahero na siyang magpapasan ng fare adjustments.

“Pero tulad ng aking sinabi sa mga pagdinig ng LTFRB dapat may katumbas na better services para sa mga pasahero – mas convenient at ligtas na paglalakbay; mas mabilis makasasakay; mabawasan ang matagal na paghihintay ng mga pasahero; mas marami ang units na bumiyahe para mas maraming masasakyan; at mas kikita ng sapat ang mga drayber upang gumingawa ang kanilang pamamasada,” ani Inton.

“Dahil dito ay dapat na rin pag-aralan ang pagtaas ng minimum wage ng mga manggagawa para maisalba nila ang taas pasahe,” dagdag pa niya.

“Sa ngayon ay nakikita natin na maraming polisiya ang pamahalaan ni Presidente Bongbong Marcos na pro-transport. Exemption sa coding ng MMDA, adjustment sa pasahe, pagbabalik ng mga dating ruta,” saad ni Inton.