LTFRB: No fare hikes for PUVs

MANILA, Philippines — Even as more public utility vehicles (PUVs) return to the streets, there would be no fare increases that could add to the burden of commuters, according to Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Martin Delgra III.

This would apply to the different modes of public transportation, he said at the Laging Handa briefing on Monday.

“What we have been saying constantly is that our principal stakeholders are the passengers. There are millions of them. Many of them have been unable to work for so long. It would be difficult for them to be burdened with fare increases as they return to work,” Delgra added.

At the same time, the Department of Transportation was also taking steps to provide aid to PUV operators, including fuel subsidies that could be rolled out “anytime soon,” he said.

Jeepneys next

Starting this week, UV Express vehicles were added to the list of public transportation allowed to operate, while “roadworthy” conventional jeepneys were expected to follow suit.

The LTFRB would issue a memorandum circular by Wednesday at the latest for the resumption of operations of conventional jeepneys, Delgra said.

As for UV Express vehicles on the road, according to Delgra, they would have to follow point-to-point operations, meaning they would not be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers in between their terminals and destinations for health reasons.

The point-to-point system was the original concept for the UV Express vehicles, he pointed out, adding that, “We need to address public health considerations. We would not be able to conduct proper monitoring if the UV Express would drop off and pick up passengers anywhere.”

Fare payments for UV Express vehicles should be done at the terminal while passengers should let their temperatures be taken as well as provide some personal information to allow for contact tracing, Delgra said.