THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is now hearing the consolidated petitions of all jeepney associations in the region seeking P12 minimum fare for the first four kilometers and P1.50 per every succeeding kilometer.

Atty. Annabele Marzan Nullar, OIC of the Transportation Department Office of LTFRB Region 1, told the KBP Forum on Thursday that the jeepney drivers are seeking to amend the current minimum fare of P8.50 approved on July 13, 2008, an amount which was provisionally decreased by 50 centavos in 2015.

Nullar revealed that while there was no opposition that so far filed objecting the fare increase, she said the hearing officers will consider all factors before reaching a final decision on the fare increase.

“Hindi ibig sabihin na kung sila ay nag-proposed ng P12 minimum fare, we will already approve the P12 minimum fare increase, Nular said.

She noted that in Metro Manila, jeepney drivers proposed P13 minimum fare from the original P8 minimum but only P10 minimum fare was approved after the petitioners came into terms and upon presentation of their evidence.

The LTFRB will do the same in Region 1, she said, adding that the petitioners must prove their case before the hearing body.

She admitted that LTFRB has approved the fare increase of buses nationwide on November 2 this year but it could not be implemented unless they secure fare matrices from LTFRB, which are pink in color.

The approved fare increase for buses (ordinary) is P9 for the first five kilometers and P1.55 for every succeeding kilometer. For air-conditioned buses, the minimum fare is lower at P8.75 for the first five kilometers and P1.75 for each succeeding kilometer.

“You will notice that the minimum fare for ordinary buses is higher than the air-con buses, but the air-con buses fare for every succeeding kilometer is higher,” Nullar said.

Public utility vans have not filed any petition for fare increase and must still charge P2 for every kilometer. She said that the route of PUV vans is point-to-point, so they must not pick up passengers along their way.

As to reports that mini-buses and jeepneys plying the Dagupan-Lingayen route have increased fares without any approved petition or fare matrix, she advised the public to complain in writing or through Facebook by taking the names of the operator painted on both sides of the vehicle, and or the case number of the vehicle.

She also clarified that LTFRB in the region is not selling fare matrices, and clarifies that the P520 being charged applicants is the filing fee and the additional P50 for cost of paper used in the matrix. (Leonardo Micua) 

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