“This initiative will be a fitting Christmas gift to commuters, more so in this time when we are feeling economic difficulties,” Martin said.
But he stressed that their proposal will depend on whether other transport groups would agree to also institute a similar rollback. He likewise said the proposed provisional rollback will be good only for the Christmas season.
“If other transport groups agree, we will petition the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the provisional fare rollback,” Martin added.
Pasang Masda reportedly has about 30,000 members in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Earlier, another transport group said they are also open to a fare rollback following the Department of Energy’s (DOE) initiative in helping the transport sector.
United Transport Koalisyon (1-Utak) chairman Vigor Mendoza said that recent consultations among its regional members showed positive results in favor of the riding public.
This, he said, was in recognition of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes’s initiatives in helping transport organizations benefit from wholesale fuel prices which would allow for a substantial reduction in fuel cost.
Utak is setting up refilling stations for its members so they can buy fuel through wholesale pricing which is far better than the current pump prices.
The LTFRB is optimistic a fare rollback is imminent if the series of oil price reduction were to be based.
Oil companies cut the prices of their products last week.
The National Council for Commuter Protection Incorporated (NCCPI) has spearheaded petition for a fare reduction following the recent downtrend in world oil prices.
It noted that based on current pump prices, fares ought to go down by P2.50 for public utility buses and P1.50 for passenger jeepneys for the first five and four kilometers, respectively.
If granted, the fare rollback will bring back the basic jeepney fare from P8.50 to P7 for the first four kilometers, while the first five kilometers for ordinary buses will drop from P10 to P8; and air-conditioned buses from P12 to P10.
The LTFRB is set to hear the commuters group's petition on November 4. Oil firms will be asked to present data on the trending of fuel prices at the hearing. (AH/Sunnex)
