Despite no matrix some PUJs imposing fare hike

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Satellite Office in Bacolod City said some public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in Negros Occidental are collecting higher fare despite no new matrix was issued yet by the agency, its official said.

Jong Alcover, officer-in-charge of LTRFB-Bacolod, yesterday told SunStar Bacolod that they have been receiving complaints from passengers claiming that some drivers have started imposing fare increase since its approval early this year.

Alcover said most of the complainants have no plan to file formal complaints. They just want to report these erring drivers.

“We already brought these complaints to the attention of the concerned PUJ operators for them to implement necessary actions among their drivers reportedly collecting a higher fare,” he added.

The agency has approved the petition of transportation groups to increase the fare in Western Visayas by P2.50, from P6.50 to P9.

Pending the issuance of the new fare matrix, jeepney fares for regular passengers remained at P6.50 and P5 for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and students.

On Thursday, local transport group United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc) slammed LTFRB-Western Visayas chair Richard Osmeña for his alleged inaction on the fare increase.

Undoc secretary-general Diego Malacad said they have been asking Osmeña to issue the fare matrix so they could already implement the increase.

Malacad, however, said the regional director is not answering their phone calls. They also claimed that Osmeña barred other LTFRB personnel to issue statements about the fare increase.

SunStar Bacolod tried to contact Osmeña for comment but he cannot be reached as of press time.

Alcover said they also received a lot of queries from various transport groups regarding the fare matrix, but they, too, are waiting for the instruction from the regional office.

Alcover said the matrix will pass through the LTFRB’s satellite office in Bacolod City.

“As of this time, we have not received any matrix,” he said, stressing that “we are not in the position to decide as to implement, or not, the fare hike as the official instruction would really come from our regional office in Iloilo.”

He, however, warned erring drivers to stop imposing fare hike unless there is already a new fare matrix or else, they will be penalized of P5, 000 per offense due to overcharging.

LTFRB-Bacolod urged passengers to continuously report drivers who are not following the current fare rate.

“For the drivers, the penalty would be an additional burden so we also urged them to avoid committing such violation,” Alcover added.

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