Jeepney operators’ group pleads for P0.50 fare hike

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The head of a jeepney drivers’ association appealed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to approve its petition for a provisional 50-centavo fare hike, especially as drivers would earn less in the coming school vacation.

“Drivers will only earn less during the vacation if our petition for a provisional fare hike is not approved. There won’t be any student commuters that time,” Zeny Maranan, president of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), said in Filipino during an interview over Inquirer Radio 990AM on Monday.

Maranan was referring to a petition filed by jeepney operators for a P0.50 fare amid rising gasoline prices.

The jeepney groups filed the petition pending the LTFRB’s decision on their plea to increase the minimum jeepney fare to P10 from P8.

In a separate interview over Inquirer Radio, LTFRB chair Winston Ginez said the board would decide on the petition for provisional fare hike this week.

He said their next hearing on the petition is set on Friday.

Ginez added that the board would penalize jeepney operators who would impose the fare hike before the board approves the petition.

Ginez made the statement as reports said some jeepney operators would implement the 50 centavos fare hike without LTFRB’s approval.

But some jeepney groups argued that in 2012 operators volunteered to lower the fare when fuel prices were lowered even without LTFRB’s approval.

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