Transport group pushes for minimum fare of P15

FILE PHOTO: Drivers of traditional jeepney of a local operator in San Juan City check their respective vehicles on as they prepare to ply their route with the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions in Metro Manila.  INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — A public transport group on Thursday is seeking a minimum fare of P15 from the current P9 for public utility jeepneys (PUJs), citing rising food prices and higher inflation rate.

The Liga ng mga Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) filed its petition for fare increase before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“The continuous increasing inflation rate, which kick up the prices of the basic commodities, pushed the PUJ stakeholders to the edge and can no longer provide 3x a day meal to their respective families,” the group’s petition read.

“The aforesaid compounded factors, compelled the transportation sector to file this Petition and ask for a conservative fare increase of FIFTEEN PESOS (P15.00) as the minimum fare for the first four kilometers,” it added.

The LTFRB, the agency that has supervision over fare increases, said that it has received the group’s petition.

In its petition, LTOP said that while it does not want to pass the burden to commuters, the members cannot see any government program that could mitigate it the situation.

The transport group added that with the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a key crude producer, fuel prices will continue to spike.

Oil prices soared above $113 per barrel after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

EDV