LTFRB defers jeepney, taxi fare cuts

The government has deferred an expected cut in jeepney and taxi fares following requests by public utility vehicle (PUV) owners for more time to air their side.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was set to decide on a petition by the National Council for Consumer Protection (NCCP) to reduce jeepney and taxi fares in the wake of falling fuel prices.

But board member Manuel Iway on Thursday said another public hearing on the petition was scheduled on July 5.

“Jeepney and taxi operators asked for another hearing because they said they were not notified of the previous hearing that’s why they were not able to give their side on the issue,” Iway told the Inquirer.

In May, the LTFRB implemented a 50-centavo reduction in jeepney fares, bringing the minimum rate to P8 for the first four kilometers of any trip.

The reduction was triggered by an automatic fare cut provision, tied to the lowering of fuel prices, that was included in the previous approval to hike rates.

In its petition, the NCCP wants jeepney fares cut by another 50 centavos to bring the basic rate to P7.50 per passenger.

The consumer group also wants the “flag down” rate for taxis cut to P30 from the current P40.

Data from the Department of Energy showed that the price of gasoline has dropped by P3.92 per liter since the start of the year. The cost of diesel, chiefly used by jeepneys and buses, has slipped by P4.76 per liter since January.

The average price of diesel fuel was pegged at P39.80 per liter while gasoline was at P47.95 per liter.