THE transport sector in Negros Occidental welcomed the impending jeepney fare increase in Western Visayas.
The central office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved the petition of transportation groups to increase the fare by P2.50, from P6.50 to P9.
Currently, the jeepney fares for regular passengers are at P6.50 and P5 for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and students.
Diego Malacad, secretary-general of United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc), stressed this is just a pronouncement yet, as he pointed out that it will not be implemented right away.
The P9-fare rate hike was agreed by the transport sector in a public hearing held in Iloilo on February 5.
The proposal was supposed to be P12 but they considered the sentiments of the riding public and the stakeholders.
He said LTFRB will still have to disseminate the information about the hike all over the region through the print media.
The LTFRB will then release the new fare matrix.
This is pursuant to the Department of Transportation and Communication Joint Administrative Order 2014-001. Overcharging/undercharging, failure to display fare matrix and failure to provide fare discount will be penalized with a fine of: First offense, P5,000; second, P10,000 and impounding of unit/s for 30 days; and third offense, P15,000, and cancellation of the franchise.
The LTFRB urged the drivers and operators to secure a matrix to avoid a penalty in the future.
However, Malacad said the fare matrix is actually bought by the operators and drivers. It costs more than P500.
He pointed out that the development is only temporary, as he called it a “one-month victory.”
Malacad said they’re expecting jeepney operators to make adjustments on their rental fees in a month’s time.
Nevertheless, he said this is a good temporary relief for the drivers as it will ease the negative impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or Train law on their livelihood.
Drivers of public utility jeeps are clamoring to increase the jeepney fare hike due to the continuous increase in the prices of fuels.
Prices of foods and basic necessities are also too high.