|
Thursday, January 19, 2006
No-hike rule shelves petition to increase taxi flagdown rate
Taxi operators in Metro Cebu cannot expect an increase in fares just yet, as transport authorities has shelved rate adjustments because of the one-year limit.
Richard Cabucos, chairman of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association (MCTOA), sought a P15 increase in flagdown rate late last year, citing high fuel prices and spare parts.
But Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 Director Rogelio “Jingjing” Osmeña said they merely forwarded the petition to their central office without action because of their agency’s rule that there shall be no increase in fares within a one-year period.
The last increase in flagdown rate from P20 to P30 was implemented in February 2005.
Osmeña said the MCTOA petition for fare increase maybe re-filed next month after the lapse of the one-year limit.
However, rollbacks of fuel prices might prevent LTFRB from favorably approving the petition.
Doing so would be unreasonable and unfair to the riding public, Osmeña said.
Meanwhile, Anthony Pogado, chairman of Nagkahiusang Drivers sa Sugbo (Nadsu) said his group might revive their petition for another P1.50 increase in jeepney fare, to implement a P7.50 minimum fare in Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas.
Pogado said it was unfair for the LTFRB en banc, chaired by Ma. Elena Bautista, to set the P7.50 minimum fare for Metro Manila and only P6 in Cebu when in fact, prices of gasoline and crude in Central Visayas are higher than in Luzon.
Nadsu submitted the petition for a P7.50 minimum fare in November 2005. However, the order raising the minimum jeepney fare from P5 to P6 was implemented in May 2005, hence, within the one-year limit.
While taxi fares will stay unchanged at least until next month, the jeepney drivers will wait until May 2006 for them to be allowed to re-file their petition for an increase.
Pogado said they have all the reason to seek another fare increase because ordinary drivers are also affected by the implementation of the 10 percent reformed value-added tax (RVAT) on petroleum products last Nov. 1, 2005 and 12 percent RVAT this year. (EOB)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 19, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
