There is still no end in sight for the taxi operators’ quest for a P20-increase in flag down rate which they filed with the Land Franchising and Regulatory Board (LFTRB) three months ago.
Three months after they formally asked for an increase in their flag-down rate, a group of taxi operators on Wednesday said they are hopeful that the government would approve the request.
In an interview with GMA News, Philippine National Taxi Operators Association president Jesus Manuel Suntay said they were still awaiting the LTFRB decision on their request.
“We are waiting for the decision of the LTFRB and we’re very hopeful since the request of the taxi industry for an additional P20 in flag-down rate is reasonable,” Suntay said.
If approved, the new flag-down rate for taxi will be P60.
Suntay underscored the need for the flag down rate hike by citing the continual increases in fuel prices.
According to him, the limited operations and passengers during the implementation of some restrictions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic also affected the viability of their trade.
He said they are expecting that the price of fuel would further increase as the “ber ” months start.
Asked if the possible increase would affect the ridership in taxis, Suntay said they expect the increase to be minimal considering that the price of fuel has already doubled.
He pointed out that it had been seven years since the taxi operators asked for a fare increase.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB has said it would resolve this month pending fare hike petitions filed by jeepney operators as prices of petroleum products continue to soar.
Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) national president Ricardo Rebaño said they will refile a petition for a P2-fare hike.
“Our drivers have to survive, too. They are just returning to the workforce,” Rebaño said.
LTFRB chairperson Cheloy Garafil said FEJODAP is welcome to make a petition, which will undergo evaluation.
“They can always file a supplemental petition in our office and we will hear and evaluate it accordingly,” Garafil said.
“As for the pending petitions, the National Economic and Development Authority has already submitted its position. We are waiting for their memorandum on September 3 and then we will act accordingly. So, we can expect the rate hike resolution at the earliest in the first week of September or at the latest, by the second week of September,” she added.
She said the increase in the fare for jeepneys was already “due.”
Oil firms yesterday announced that pump prices of diesel and kerosene will increase by P6.10 per liter while gasoline will go up by 1.40 per liter effective today.
In June, the LTFRB granted an increase in the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys to P11 across all regions.
Earlier this month, the LTFRB said it is keen on approving a petition to increase the fares for public utility buses.
Garafil noted the last bus fare increase was in 2018, when diesel was just at P44 per liter.
Bus groups earlier filed a P20 minimum fare increase petition for the first five kilometers in air-conditioned buses from P13 and a charge of P3.40 per kilometer beyond five kilometers. The first hearing for their petition was held last July 28.
Petitioning groups include the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association, Nagkaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, and Samahang Transport Operators ng Pilipinas Inc.
The petition also called for an increase in the minimum fare in the ordinary buses from P11 to P15 with a P2.70 charge per kilometer.
As far as provincial buses are concerned, the petitioners requested a P15 minimum fare for ordinary buses with a charge of P2 per kilometer.
For air-conditioned ones, their recommended charge is P2.50 per kilometer for regular air-conditioned buses, P2.60 per kilometer for deluxe buses, P2.70 per kilometer for super deluxe, and P3.60 per kilometer for luxury buses.
