THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved a temporary P1 jeepney fare hike on Tuesday.
The increase will take effect on October 8. This, however, might only be temporary as the LTFRB is still reviewing the primary P5 fare hike request submitted by the Pasang Masda, the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, and the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines.
“Effective on October 8 at 1 in the morning, the increase in the provisional remedy takes effect. It’s just one peso. Provisional means that it’s temporary until the price of gasoline improves,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz 3rd said in a media interview.
The fare hike was sought by transport groups because of the continuous fuel price hikes for 11 consecutive weeks.
This means the current P12 minimum fare will rise to P13 starting October 8.
LTFRB Public Information Officer Rowena Dincol said a hearing for the P5 hike increase petition will be held on November 7.
On the first week of August, transport groups Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Piston, Stop & Go Transport Coalition Inc., and Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines (Fejodap) filed a letter to formally request the LTFRB approval of a P2 increase in jeepney fares.
The letter cited the continuous increases in the prices of petroleum products.
The LTFRB said operators and drivers should provide discounts for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, students and others as required by law.