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Sunday, July 13, 2008
Provincial buses also covered by fare hike
KORONADAL CITY -- Bus operators in Mindanao are waiting for guidelines that will increase provincial fares following the endorsement of fee hikes by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
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Olimpio Par, operations manager of Yellow Bus Line Inc., the largest bus company in Central Mindanao region, asserted the fare increase order is not only contained to Metro Manila.
"All public utility vehicles in the country registered with the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) are covered by the order. So far, we are still waiting for the guidelines," Par said.
On Tuesday, Malacañang announced that Neda approved the fare increases for buses, jeepneys, and taxis proposed by the LTFRB.
LTFRB chair Thompson C. Lantion said the higher fares took effect Friday.
Par said the fare adjustment in the area would be known after the LTFRB guidelines reached the region.
Yellow Bus, based in this city, is the major transport company plying the Koronadal-General Santos-Davao route. It also serves parts of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
Transport operators in Central Mindanao last adjusted fees in June about two weeks after the government approved the P.50 provisional fare hike in mid-May.
The last fare increase saw Yellow Bus' rates for the Davao to General Santos route soaring to P200 from P175 previously (air-conditioned unit) and for non-air conditioned unit to P150 from P120 previously.
The provisional fare hike in May was not immediately implemented in Mindanao since the government at the time was "still finalizing things," despite a previous announcement of a fare adjustment nationwide.
Par asserted that provincial bus operators are covered by the latest fare hike order despite a Palace statement, which said: "The jeepney and taxi fare hikes are 'across-the-board' nationwide, while the rate increase for buses is for Metro Manila (only)." (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (July 13, 2008 issue)
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