Php 1 fare hike petition rejected by the LTFRB; minimum fare to stay at Php 9
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) denied the petition by transport groups to increase the minimum fare of jeepneys by Php 1. The petition was lodged as a solution to help PUV drivers amid the rising fuel crisis.
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In a statement, the LTFRB said it rejected the provisional fare hike requested by transport groups 1-Utak, Pasang Masda, ALDTODAP, and ACTO, which means that the minimum fare stays at P9.00.
The LTFRB explained its decision as it had to balance the rights of the commuting public who depend on the public transport system, and the operators who make a living out of PUVs.
“While it recognizes the present clamor of stakeholders in public land transportation services for necessary action relative to fare rates, they cannot be insensitive to the plight of Filipinos every time an increase on the prices of the commodities occurs, as a domino effect to the grant of fare increase,” the LTFRB said.
It was also said that the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) was concerned that increasing the minimum fare and passing it on to the commuting public may reduce their purchasing power.
Despite this, the LTFRB was quick to point out the administration’s other efforts and subsidy programs that are specifically targeted to those PUV drivers and operators affected.
“The LTFRB has started crediting fuel subsidies in the amount of P6,500 to PUVs and will continue distributing subsidies until the end of March to 377,433 beneficiaries,” the LTFRB said.
As of Friday (March 18, 2022), it has released around P700 million in fuel subsidies to public utility vehicles (PUV), including jeepneys, the LTFRB said.
eh bat samin d2 Tarlac city 15 Pesos? simula nung pandemic?