P8 jeepney minimum fare takes effect Friday

Beginning Friday, commuters in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and the Southern Tagalog region will have to pay P8 as minimum jeepney fare as the order of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for an additional one-peso increase in the current P7 fare takes effect.

On Wednesday, the LTFRB signed the order which authorized public utility jeepneys to raise their fare for the first four kilometers.

The succeeding rates per kilometer would remain at P1.50.

All other regions are not authorized to implement any fare adjustment.

The LTFRB acted on a petition of transport groups Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Land Transport Organization of the Philippines, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines and Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburb Drivers Association Nationwide.

The groups called for a provisional hike amid rising oil prices.

In its order, the LTFRB said oil companies opened 2017 with price hikes across different fuel products. As of Jan. 30, average pump prices ranged from P31 to P33 per liter.

The Board compared the prices year-on-year when it issued an order reducing the fares from P7.50 to P7. In January 2016, diesel prices stood at P18.15 to P21.65, marking more than 50-percent difference from this year.

“While the Board recognizes the plight of the Filipino people every time an increase on the prices of the commodities occurs, it cannot be insensitive to the present clamor of stakeholder in public land transportation,” its order read.

The LTFRB also stressed that the 20-percent discount for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and students remained in effect.

Jeepney operators are required to post a notice of the increase inside their vehicles that can be easily seen by the commuters. CBB/rga