Jeepney fare hike to take effect June 14

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—While most people ignore the value of 25-centavo coins, these coins will come in handy for jeepney commuters starting on Saturday.

As the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) raised the P8 standard fare by 50-centavos for public utility jeepneys (PUJs), its chairman Winston Ginez reminded the public and the jeepney drivers to strictly comply with the new directive.

The decision released by the LTFRB on May 30 said the raise will take effect on June 14.

The fare adjustment, however, covers only Metro Manila and regions 3 (Central Luzon) and 4 (Calabarzon, Mimaropa).

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990 AM, Ginez reiterated that for the first four kilometers of the trip, there will be a 50-centavo increase and 10 centavos for every succeeding kilometer.

On Tuesday, the LTFRB started to hand out copies of the fare matrix at Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City. For regions 3 and 4, the agency also distributed the fare matrix in San Fernando, Pampanga and Lipa, Batangas.

Also in the decision, it said that the 20-percent discount, or P1.50 less of the standard fare, for senior citizens, students, and people with disability should be strictly implemented.

Ginez added that jeepney drivers and transport groups had positive takes on the recent fare increase.

“They were happy and thankful (with the fare hike),” he said.

In December last year, transport groups sought P2 increase in the minimum jeepney fare from P8 to P10 for the first four kilometers.

The groups also asked for an increase of 35 centavos for every succeeding kilometer in the said regions.

The LTFRB, however, has yet to decide on the appeal. Instead, a petition for the 50-centavo increase was approved.

“Kahit hindi naman natin nabigay ang kanilang hinihiling ay naiintindihan naman nila ang kalagayan at ang magiging epekto nito sa ating mamamayan kung ang kanilang hinihiling ay mapapagbigayan,” Ginez said.