The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved fare increases for modern and traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJ), public utility buses (PUB), taxis, and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) on Friday.
In a statement, the LTFRB said the increase will take effect by October 4, or 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
For PUJs, the minimum fare will increase by PHP1 for the first four kilometers, or PHP12 for traditional PUJs and PHP14 for modern PUJs.
The fare for succeeding kilometers for traditional PUJs will rise to PHP1.80 from PHP1.50, and PHP2.20 from PHP1.80 per kilometer for modern PUJs.
Also approved was the PHP2 uniformed base fare for city and provincial buses for the first five kilometers, with an additional 35 to 50 centavos for each succeeding kilometer, depending on the kind of bus – PHP13 for non-air conditioned city bus, PHP15 for air conditioned city bus, and PHP11 for non- air conditioned provincial bus.
For PUBs, the fare for succeeding kilometers will increase from PHP1.85 to PHP2.25 for ordinary PUBs, from PHP2.20 to PHP2.65 for air conditioned PUBs, and from PHP1.55 to PHP1.90 for provincial PUBs.
The flag-down rate or minimum fare of taxis and sedan-type TNVS will increase to PHP45; AUV/SUV (Asian utility vehicle/sport utility vehicle) TNVS to PHP55; and hatchback-type TNVS to PHP35.
The 20-percent discount for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students will remain.
The fare increase comes after the continuing rise in oil prices in the country and petitions by public transport groups.
The decision was arrived at following consultations with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Energy, and other stakeholders.
“The [LTFRB] also took into account the study of the LTFRB Franchise Planning and Monitoring Division which not only includes the fare adjustment formula but also the increasing operational cost of PUVs, and the opinion of the NEDA in order to minimize the inflationary effect of a fare increase,” it said.
The LTFRB reminded drivers and operators of public utility vehicles to follow guidelines, policies, and public health safety protocols.
“Failure to comply will result in sanctions such as revocation of their Certificate of Public Convenience and driver’s license,” it said. (PNA)
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
