MANILA, Philippines–The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has started distributing copies of the newly approved fare matrix to leaders of various public utility jeepney (PUJ) groups ahead of the implementation of the 50-centavo increase in the minimum fare.
Set to take effect June 14, the fare increase will be 50 centavos for the first four kilometers (from P8 to P8.50), and 10 centavos for every succeeding kilometer (from P1.40 to P1.50), subject to certain conditions.
LTFRB personnel handed out copies of the fare matrix free of charge to leaders of PUJ groups at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City on Tuesday.
“We strongly urge the commuting public to report drivers who fail to conspicuously display the new fare matrix or those who are overcharging their passengers,” LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez said in a statement.
LTFRB on May 30 approved the fare adjustments in the National Capital Region and Regions 3 and 4. The distribution of the new fare matrix will continue until Friday.
The board encourages PUJ group leaders to send only one representative to collect the fare matrix for their members.
Ginez earlier maintained that the board had found a factual basis for the latest fare hike. The LTFRB noted that in early May, the Department of Energy monitored the average diesel pump price based on the lowest retail prices at P43.44 per liter, indicating an increase in the average diesel pump price of P5.69 per liter from 2011 to 2014.
Based on the board’s cost-recovery method of computation, a PUJ’s fuel consumption is approximately pegged at 6 kph/liter and at an average of 10 passengers per trip. The calculation shows that an increase of 37.9 centavos for the first four kilometers is necessary to enable drivers to recover the additional expenses in fuel.
The calculation also validated an analysis made by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) showing that a 50-centavo adjustment would be reasonable, the LTFRB said.–Miguel R. Camus