DRIVERS of public utility vehicles (PUVs) must post the new fare matrix from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB 7) inside their vehicles before they can implement the new fare increase on Oct. 3, 2022.

LTFRB 7 Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. made the announcement on Thursday, Sept. 22.

He said operators of public utility jeepneys (PUJs), whether traditional or modern, as well as taxis, whether white or yellow, need to apply for the fare matrix guide.

“If they don’t have it, they cannot increase the fare. This applies to all PUVs,” he said in Cebuano.

The application fee for the fare matrix for the first two units of a PUJ operator is P520. The fee for the third and succeeding units is P70 each.

The same fee of P520 applies to taxi operators, Montealto said.

The fare matrix costs P50 each.

On Oct. 3, jeepney passengers will need to pay the new minimum fare of P12 from the current P11, or an additional P.30 for every kilometer.

For modern jeepneys, the current P13 minimum will be raised to P14. Passengers will also have to pay P2.20 per additional kilometer, from the current P1.80.

The new taxi flagdown rate will be P45 from P40. There is no increase for succeeding kilometers.

Montealto said they will start distributing the new fare matrix on Oct. 1 and 2. Those who cannot show a receipt (of payment for their application) will not be given one.

Meanwhile, he said taxi operators do not have to recalibrate their meters since only the flagdown rate will go up.

There are 6,000 taxis operating in Central Visayas, with the majority running in Metro Cebu. (PAC / PJB)