Friday, July 18, 2008 Drivers hike fare in Bacolod only By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
PUBLIC utility jeepneys in Bacolod City will start collecting the approved P1 fare increase on Friday, the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc) said Thursday.
Undoc Secretary General Jessie Ortega said the fare hike will only be in Bacolod City and out-of-town routes are not included yet.
"Some of our members in Bacolod have already secured fare matrices from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and they will be implementing the fare hike starting today (Friday). But as for the out-of-town routes, we are clarifying that there's no fare increase," Ortega told Sun.Star Bacolod.
In Bacolod, fare rate will now be P8.50 for the first five kilometers for regular commuters and P6 for senior citizens and students.
Fare rates for routes outside Bacolod are: Bacolod to Kabankalan and vice versa still at P70, to Escalante also P70, to Manapla at P35, to Victorias - P28, to E.B. Magalona - P20, to Cadiz City - P50, to Sagay City P65, to Bago City - P20, to La Carlota City - P35, to Valladolid - P30 and to Hinigaran at P40.
Ortega said they don't know whether Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), operator of Ceres buses, will also increase the fare rates starting Friday or not.
LTFRB approved a P1 additional fare for all PUJs and buses nationwide amid the rising cost of fuel in the country.
Diesel is now sold at an average of P56 per liter and gasoline at P63 to P67 per liter.
Ortega said even if they would add P2 to the fare rate, it still could not cope with the present pricing of fuels in the country.
"Only the giant oil companies will benefit more and more and not the ordinary drivers and operators," he said.
He added that the collection of additional P1 would burden the already troubled citizenry and is a potent stimulus for another round of increase in the prices of basic commodities.
