MANILA, Philippines — The minimum jeepney fare will go down to P7 starting Friday (Jan. 22) as transport groups filed their petition for a voluntary rollback, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced.
The 50-centavo cut was requested for Metro Manila, Region 3 and Region 4 in view of the falling diesel prices.
“It is reasonable to provisionally reduce the minimum fare for the first four kilometers of jeepney service from P7.50 to P7. However, for the succeeding kilometer, the same shall remain at P1.50,” the petition said.
The voluntary rollback was filed by Pasang Masda Nationwide Inc., Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (Acto), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) and Liga ng mga Tsuper at Operator sa Pilipinas Inc. (LTOP).
LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez said on Wednesday the board deemed it proper to immediately act on the petition without a hearing since it was part of a pending case for permanent fare reduction.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Ginez said the LTFRB order was being finalized and the provisional rollback “will be effective Friday.”
The petition earlier filed by Negros Oriental Rep. and former LTFRB board member Manuel Iway to make the P7.50 provisional fare permanent and reduce the rate for succeeding kilometers from P1.50 to P1.25 will be heard on Feb. 10.
ACTO president Efren de Luna, LTOP president Orlando Marquez, Pasang Masda president Obet Martin and Fejodap president Zenaida Maranan said the prices of spare parts and basic commodities should also go down to reflect the decreasing oil prices.
They said the LRT and MRT, not just jeepneys, should also implement a fare cut for the benefit of commuters. SFM