150 jeepney drivers suspend operations
HIGH COSTS OF DIESEL, NO FARE INCREASE
MORE than 100 jeepney drivers in Pangasinan decide to suspend their operations, because of the prohibitive and still rising costs of fuel.
Bernard Tuliao, president of AUTOPRO-Pangasinan, confirmed that 150 jeepney units of members (or ten percent of the group) have stopped plying their regular routes in the province.
AUTOPRO-Pangasinan has members from all towns and cities in the province.
Tuliao said drivers have complained that despite operating longer hours on the road they could barely manage to pay the daily ‘boundary’ for their operators, leaving the drivers with much less take-home than usual
On average, daily ‘boundary’ rates are P300 to P500, on top of the costs of diesel that leaves drivers with less than P250 to take home for their families.
“Napupunta sa diesel halos lahat ng sana ay kinikita nila”, said Tuliao.
Because of this, jeepney drivers prefer to stop driving and do other things to provide for their families.
Petrol price has risen seven times (or P10.20) since the beginning of the year up until February 15.
In Pangasinan, average diesel costs in gas stations average P55.
Tuliao said he has spoken with other transport groups to join their request a fare hike petition.
“We will request a P15 minimum fare to the LTFRB”, he said. The current minimum fare is P9.
Tuliao fears more jeepney drivers will stop operating as diesel costs continue to rise and will likely consider conducting a strike as a final resort. (Ahikam Pasion)
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