A TRANSPORT group leader in Bacolod City reiterated to all the public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers not to impose a fare hike without the new fare matrix from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional office in Iloilo City.
Jesse Ortega, secretary-general of Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros (SSTONE), said Monday, October 1, he received reports that some drivers who failed to secure the new fare matrix were collecting P8.50 for the first four kilometers.
He said about 60 percent of their members already acquired the new fare rate matrix at LTFRB in Iloilo City.
The new fare rate matrix costs P610 for every franchise.
Those who have secured the new fare matrix can collect the P8.50 for the first four kilometers for the regular passengers and P6.80 for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and students.
For the succeeding kilometers: regular passengers will pay an additional P1.15 and P0.92 for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and students.
“Those who fail to secure the new fare matrix should follow the old fare rate which is P7 for the regular passengers or else they will be penalized of P6, 000,” Ortega said.
He said he was informed that some drivers were only buying a photocopy of a new fare matrix amounting of P300 in Bacolod.
“It’s illegal and unfair to other jeepney operators because they are securing it at the LTFRB and paid an exact amount for it,” he added.
Ortega pointed out that the drivers should display the original copy of the new fare matrix with the official receipt from the LTFRB inside their unit for the basis of the passengers.
He said the drivers should also prepare 50 cents so they can collect an exact fare of P8.50 for the first four kilometers.