MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday said petitions filed by transport groups seeking a higher fare increase remain pending and will still undergo hearings, amid calls from transport groups that the approved P1 fare increase for traditional jeepneys is insufficient.
DOTr approves public transport fare increase
On Friday, the Department of Transportation announced that it has lifted the suspension on the approved provisional increase in March.
"Hindi naman po namin dinismiss 'yung kanilang petisyon, andyan pa rin po yung kanilang petisyon. Para po sa jeepney, ni-lift lang po 'yung ating suspensyon ng ating desisyon nung Marso," said Acting LTFRB Chairman Atty. Greg Pua.
"Yung petisyon ng Manibela, 'yung petisyon ng Piston, it's still pending and ise-set pa po natin 'yan ng hearing. Ipagsusumite pa po natin sila ng ebidensya upang ipakita nila na hindi po sapat ang existing fare," he added.
Despite this, the LTFRB said the fuel subsidy for jeepney and UV Express operators will remain in place. The agency also recommends expanding the program and providing additional subsidies to ease the impact of rising fuel prices.
Meanwhile, Pua said operators do not immediately need to secure a physical fare matrix to implement the fare increase. They may download the official fare guide from the LTFRB website, select the applicable vehicle denomination, and implement the fare based on the guide.
"Bibigyan natin sila ng certain period of time in order to apply sa ating fare matrix at nag-iisip po tayo ng dahilan ngayon kung paano ito mai-o-online para po hindi na po sila pumila o tumigil sa pamamasada," Pua said.
For drivers who joined or will join the transport strike, Pua said they may face penalties if they are found to have committed a franchise violation that affected passengers.
"Hindi naman po kami automatic na nagmumulta eh, isho-showcause [order] muna natin 'yan, pagpapaliwanag pa natin 'yan kung may violation of franchise," Pua said.