Cebu bus operators ask LTFRB for P4 fare increase

SunStar File Photo
SunStar File Photo

IN the spirit of Christmas, local bus operators asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 to approve their petition for a fare increase.

Not one sector opposed the fare increase proposed by the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA) during the public hearing at the LTFRB 7 Friday, Nov. 9.

The hearing lasted for only 20 minutes since no one from the commuters’ or consumers’ groups attended or sent a position paper opposing the proposed fare hike.

The operators are asking for a P4 fare increase for the first five kilometers and 30 centavos more for the succeeding kilometer in the wake of a series of oil price increase.

The current fare is at P6 per kilometer and P1.20 for the succeeding kilometer, which was based on oil prices in 2008 yet when fuel was only P20 per liter. The current price is almost P50 per liter.

Julie Flores, chairman of the Cebu Provincial Bus and Mini Bus Operators Transport Cooperative, said this is the first time they asked for an increase since 2008.

He said that if fuel prices go down, they would also file a petition to lower bus fares.

Richard Corominas, presidente of CPBOA, said the minimum fare for buses in the region should be based on the minimum fare in Manila, which is P11, after the LTFRB approved last October the P1 fare increase.

“Pinaskohan na lang unta ang gipangayo sa operators (We’re hoping they’ll consider this as a Christmas gift to the operators),” Corominas said.

LTFRB 7 Assistant Regional Director Reynaldo Elnar said the operators have 15 days to submit documents that will support their petition for a fare increase.

If they fail to do so, the petition will still be submitted to their central office for deliberation. From SCG of Superbalita Cebu

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