Thursday, December 04, 2008 LTFRB announces fare rollback
FOLLOWING the series of oil price rollbacks in recent weeks, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced Wednesday that cab, jeepney, and bus drivers and operators have agreed to a provisional fare reduction nationwide, effective December 15.
During Wednesday's meeting with representatives from various transport groups, LTFRB Chairman Thompson Lantion said jeepney groups led by the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) and Pasang Masda agree to cut the fare by P0.50 for the first four kilometers.
Lantion said the new jeepney fare will mean a return to the P7.50 from the current P8.
Fares were initially cut by P0.50 from P8.50 in October due to a one-time major reduction in diesel prices implemented by local oil players.
The Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP) and Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association (Imboa) also agreed to a P0.50 rollback for the first five kilometers of regular buses in Metro Manila or from P9.50 to P9 and a P0.10 cut for the succeeding kilometer or from P1.95 to P1.85.
"While air-conditioned buses in Metro Manila will retain the P11 fare for first five kilometers, operators agreed to a P0.15 reduction for every succeeding kilometer, or from P2.35 to P2.20," Lantion said.
Air-conditioned and regular provincial buses agreed to a P0.05 cut for every kilometer. For air-conditioned buses, this will be from P1.70 to P1.65 and for regular buses, from P1.40 to P1.35, the LTFRB chief said.
Lantion also temporarily removed the mandatory P10 add-on fare tip for taxi drivers for the next three months or until February.
The agreement was reached with the Association of Taxi Operators in Metro Manila and the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association.
The P10 add-on was implemented in July when the LTFRB approved a 50-centavo increase in the minimum fare for jeepneys and P1 for buses. Its removal stemmed from a petition filed by the National Council for Commuters' Protection Incorporated (NCCPI) following the continuing decrease in oil prices.
But the LTFRB said the fare reductions would be temporary and would be implemented for at least three months.
Lantion also set a hearing on February 18, 2009 to discuss if jeepney fares and the add-on charge should be restored or would be scrapped.
He earlier said the P10 add-on fare for taxis is only temporary and it could be scrapped by the agency when gasoline and LPG prices go down significantly.
For their part, Alliance of Taxi Operators in Metro Manila president Leonora Naval said the group will adhere to the order of the LTFRB on the P10 add-on rate removal.
"We welcome this with open arms. This would serve as our Christmas offer to the riding public. We will follow the LTFRB's directive," Naval said.
Nonetheless, she said their "consolation" is that the LTFRB promised to review the add-on issue again on February 18 next year.
According to Naval, the review is meant to check the impact of fuel prices on taxi fares. She said they want to determine if the recent decline in world oil prices is permanent or fluctuating.
The LTFRB, meanwhile, is giving taxi operators until February 2009 to install receipt-issuing equipment on their cabs.
LTFRB spokesman Leandro Tantoco said this is part of their gradual installation scheme for taxis to issue receipts to passengers.
"We are giving them time. Within 30 days after January, probably that will be fine," Tantoco said.
He said the receipts should include the date and time of travel, and the plate number of the taxi.
But Tantoco said the LTFRB will actually start implementing the receipt issuing in January 2009. (AH/Sunnex)
