LTFRB preparing to implement fare cut
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is now preparing to implement the proposal of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to provide fare discounts to passengers of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs).
LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said the budget for the Service Contracting Program is ready and the Agency is just awaiting for the money to be downloaded to the LTFRB. “We are just waiting for the downloading of the money to the LTFRB. Pagkatapos niyan tuloy-tuloy na ‘yung Service Contracting (Program),” he said.
He said implementation of the discount will also depend on the guidance of the DOTr. “We also have to take the cue from the Office of the Secretary, how they intend to do it. I think ang gagawin lang nila is discount lang ang ibibigay sa mga tao para ‘yung pera na P1.2 billion mapagkasya sa maraming mga transport services on a nationwide scale,” Chairman Guadiz added.
Under the proposal, fares in traditional jeepneys will be returned to pre-pandemic levels, or at P9 from the current P12 fare.
He said they are hopeful that more budget will be allotted so that more will benefit from this program, Chairman Guadiz pointed out.
“I believe the budget may last only for about 6 months, half a year. So as early as now, I am requesting the DOTr to come up with additional funding para mapagkasya po namin hanggang sa katapusan ng taon ‘yung pera,” Guadiz stated.
