LTFRB officials junk the petition for increase in fares during rush hour periods due to the prior approval of the prior fare increase. Photo courtesy of GMA.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) rejected the Php 1 ‘rush hour rate’ petition by a transport group on Monday, August 14.
Traditional jeepney and bus operators seek increased charges during rush hour in response to worsening traffic conditions and consecutive weeks of oil price hikes.
After LTFRB rejects the petition, Pasang Masda national president Roberto Martin says in an interview that they will file an amended version of the petition the next day, but it is a separate appeal from the additional Php 2 charge request by the transport group.
Pursuant the proposal, Php 1 will be added to the jeepney base fare and Php 2 to the city bus fare, intended for rush hours starting at 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. except Sundays and holidays.
Transport groups, including The Liga ng Transportasyon at mga Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide, STOP and Go, and the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines, asked the LTFRB to approve the Php 2 fare adjustment for the first four kilometers amid oil price hikes.
LTFRB Chief Teofilo Guadiz III said the Php 2 surcharge fare will be reviewed by the LTFRB as the agency respects the rights of jeepney operators to file an increase.
"There are many factors to consider when reviewing fare hike petitions or requests…We understand the urgency of the situation. That is why the board will convene to determine if the request for fare increase has merit," Guadiz said.
On Tuesday, August 15, oil companies officially implemented the Php 1.90 hike in gasoline, Php 1.50 charge for diesel, and Php 2.50 charge for kerosene.