Saturday, May 26, 2007 Land transport agency sets aside plea for fare hike in metro
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has deferred approval of a petition of jeepney drivers and operators to increase by 50 centavos the minimum fare rate in Metro Manila.
LTFRB chairman Thompson Lantion said they cannot allow the fare hike since students are returning to school in the next two weeks.
The transport group Pasang Masda had asked the LTFRB to return to P7.50 the minimum fare of jeepneys in Metro Manila after the agency reduced it to P7 last December.
Pasang Masda spokesman Obet Martin said they need the increase to help them cope with the series of oil price increases.
Lantion said they will study carefully the petition of the group in order to determine if there is really a need to increase the fares.
Oil firms raised fuel prices by one peso per liter. The cost of other petroleum products such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene was also raised by 50 centavos per liter.
The Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association (IPCA) said another round of oil price increase is expected this week or at the end of the month. (MSN/Sunnex)
