LTFRB warns bus firms on unannounced fare hikes

MANILA, Philippines—Bus companies imposing unannounced fare hikes in time for the summer vacation may have their franchises suspended or cancelled for illegally taking advantage of commuters, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

The government has not approved any hike in provincial bus fares yet, according to the LTFRB, which encouraged commuters to report operators that have started to charge higher rates.

“If we receive any reports of overcharging by bus operators, we ask the companies involved to explain why their franchises should not be revoked,” LTFRB board member Manuel Iway said in an interview.

Provincial Bus Operator Association of the Philippines (PBOAP) executive director Jose Galzim said the group’s members had implemented a hike in fares starting 12:01 a.m. on Monday to help cope with rising fuel prices.

The group said it had implemented a rate of P1.35 for every kilometer after the first five, which was the rate approved by the LTFRB in 2008. The group decided not to implement the fare adjustment in 2008 due to the decline in fuel prices, Galzim told Radyo Inquirer DZIQ.

Galzim said the group’s decision was not tantamount to overpricing because the adjustment was still made within the bounds of the LTFRB-approved rates.

Meanwhile, Iway said the LTFRB would monitor any bus far increases over the approved rates.

At present, the minimum fare for provincial buses stands at P8.50 for the first five kilometers. Every succeeding kilometer costs P1.35.

Iway said PBOAP, whose members are mainly bus companies traveling to Central and Northern Luzon, has not filed any petition to increase fares.

The Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association (Soluboa) currently has a petition to increase ordinary provincial bus fare rates from P1.30 to P1.80 per kilometer and air-conditioned provincial bus fares to P2.10 per kilometer.

Iway said the LTFRB would meet to either approve or deny Soluboa’s petition to hike fares.

Since the start of the year, fares for taxis, jeepneys and Metro Manila buses have been raised to reflect the higher prices of petroleum products, which make up the bulk of drivers’ and operators’ expenses.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it would conduct random inspections to determine if buses traveling this coming Holy Week meet minimum safety standards.

“We want to make sure that passenger vehicles, especially buses, are in the condition to travel long distances to ferry travelers to their destinations safely,” LTO chief Virginia Torres said.

Buses failing to pass LTO inspections would be grounded, she said.

Torres said a huge percentage of road mishaps resulting from mechanical defects may be avoided by becoming more vigilant in enforcing LTO safety guidelines.

Inspections will be done on bus companies in Quezon City/Cubao, Pasay, Caloocan and Manila, which have the most crowded terminals during the long holidays.