Ilocos transport groups seek P12 fare

DAILY RIDE Students and employees rely on jeepneys to bring them to schools and offices in Dagupan City, one of Ilocos region’s business centers. —WILLIE LOMIBAO

DAGUPAN CITY — Jeepney commuters in the Ilocos region will have to pay a P12 minimum fare once the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approves a new fare hike petition filed by a local group of jeepney drivers and operators.

The P12 rate being asked will cover the first 5 kilometers, after which P1.50 will be added for every succeeding kilometer.

The petition will be heard on Friday at the LTFRB La Union office in San Fernando City, said Anabel Nallar, officer in charge of the LTFRB transportation development office.

More than 6,000 jeepneys operate in the region. About 2,000 of these units serve Pangasinan province.

Ilocos Sur province has the least number of jeepneys with around 100 units because residents prefer commuter vans.

Metro Manila has increased its minimum jeepney fare to P10, much lower than the P13 asked by jeepney operators and drivers in the capital. At present, minimum jeepney fare in the Ilocos region is P8. —YOLANDA SOTELO