Tuesday, November 27, 2007 LTFRB to look into overcharging by Metro Cebu jeepney drivers
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will investigate reports of rampant fare overcharging by passenger jeepneys in almost all routes in Metro Cebu.
LTFRB 7 Acting Director Rey Elnar, however, said a speedy investigation can only be conducted if there are complainants who will submit evidence so violators can be penalized.
Elnar issued the statement after transport leaders filed a petition for fare increase from the present P6 for the first five kilometers to P7.50 for the first four kilometers.
Matrix
The complainants, mostly workers and students who refused to identify themselves, alleged that jeepney drivers take advantage of the LTFRB’s tariff matrix, which is not specific on distance and fare.
They said the drivers only display the matrix that states: “Peso ra ang increase sa plitihan,” issued when the LTFRB increase fares by P1 in May 2005. The matrix does not state how much a passenger should pay for a certain distance.
The complainants cited as example jeepneys plying the route Cebu City-Mandaue City, which has a distance of seven kilometers according to the Department of Public Works and Highways. The fare for that distance is supposed to be just P8 (P6 for the first five kilometers and P1 per succeeding kilometer). But drivers reportedly collect P10 from passengers.
In the fare matrix for the Cebu City-Mandaue City route issued prior to the May 2005 increase, it specified rates from Cebu City to Mabolo, Cebu City to Subangdaku, Cebu City to Tipolo, and Cebu City to Mandaue City public market. This matrix, however, is no longer displayed.
20% discount
The route from Ramos public market to Foodland at the corner of A.S. Fortuna St. and Gov. Cuenco Ave. is only six kilometers but drivers plying the Carbon-Talamban route collect P8 from passengers, an overcharging of P1.
Elnar said he also received reports that almost all jeepney drivers are no longer displaying the matrix that states students and senior citizens are entitled to a 20 percent discount. With the discount, they should only pay P5 for the first five kilometers instead of the regular fare of P6.
Under Republic Act 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, all passengers above 60 years old must be given 20 percent discount on fare for domestic travel by land, sea and air.
The 20 percent discount for students is also ordered by the LTFRB en banc. But many jeepney drivers reportedly refuse to give discounts to students and senior citizens.
Elnar said that once a new fare rate is set by LTFRB en banc in Manila, the new matrix will specify the corresponding fares from points of origins and points of destinations.
He said that if new matrix will be issued and the drivers will still defy it, this will lead to the suspension or revocation of their driver’s licenses. (EOB)
