Four public transport groups are seeking a P2 fare hike for all public utility vehicles (PUVs) nationwide amid rising pump prices.
In a letter to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III, the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Pagkakaisa ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston), Stop & Go Transport Coalition, and the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) requested the P2 fare increase nationwide for the first four kilometers.
“The immediate action and consideration of the good chairman of the LTFRB on this matter will go a long way [toward] uplifting the economic conditions of the drivers and operators,” the groups said.
They said prices of parts and throttle body alignment (TBA) “needed to ensure safe and comfortable transport service have increased significantly.
Likewise, the cost of fuel was experiencing an “uncontrollable surge” every week, they said.
Data from the Department of Energy showed that diesel prices have increased by about P10 per liter for the past five weeks, while gasoline prices have already risen by P5 per liter in the same period.
The LTFRB in September last year approved a P1 provisional increase in the minimum fare for the first four kilometers traveled in both traditional and modern jeepneys and P2 for public utility buses.
The agency also granted a P5 increase in the flag-down rate for taxis and Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) providers.
Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Friday said he respects the move of various transport to file a petition seeking a fare increase across different modes of public transportation all over the country amid rising fuel costs.
“If we do not increase fares at the level of inflation, drivers and operators will have to absorb the losses. And if it goes to a point where they cannot absorb losses, it will ultimately lead to a reduction in available transport supply, at the inconvenience of passengers,” said Salceda, who chairs the House committee on ways and means.
He said a reasonable fare hike would help drivers and operations cope with the rising cost of living even if it is a temporary relief.
On Thursday, the LTFRB said at least 1.3 million PUV drivers and operators would receive fuel subsidies from the government amid the escalating prices of pump fuels.
Executive director Robert Peig said the Department of Budget and
Management is expected to release the budget allocation for the fuel subsidy before August ends.
Drivers and operators of jeepneys, buses, taxis, shuttle services, school services, tourist services, transport network vehicles, tricycles, and even delivery riders nationwide, will benefit from the subsidy, Peig said.