A proposed fare hike for jeepneys is considered “premature” despite the possibility of another oil price increase next week, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said on Friday.
She further said that, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), requests from jeepney operators and drivers appear premature, given that there is already a provisional fare increase of 1 peso.
“Ayon naman din po sa LTFRB, ang patungkol po sa hinihiling ng mga jeepney operators and drivers, mukhang hindi pa po napapanahon, premature, dahil po meron pong provisional fare increase sa halagang 1 piso,” she added during a press conference.
“Ayon sa kanilang computation, itong provisional grant na ito na fair hike na 1 piso ay nako-cover pa po ang fuel cost para sa jeepneys,” Castro explained.
However, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB are reportedly reviewing the proposed fare hike for public utility vehicles (PUVs), according to Castro.
“Sa ngayon po ay may hearing na nagaganap, pinag-aaralan mabuti kung magkakaroon ng fair hike,” Castro said.
Currently, the Castro noted that LTFRB is prioritizing fare adjustments for buses, which do not yet have a temporary fare increase.
“Ang priority po ngayon ng LTFRB kung magkakaroon po ng fair hike ay ang mga buses dahil wala po silang temporary fair hike. So yun po ang priority po nila ay ang pag-uusap tungkol sa pag-increase ng pamasahe sa mga bus,” she noted.
Castro also clarified that jeepney operators and drivers are not only pushing for a fare increase but are also raising concerns about illegal or “kolorum” vehicles operating in the system.
“Ayon din po sa sinabi ni Chair Mendoza, ang hiling naman din po ng mga jeepney operators at ng jeepney drivers ay hindi partikular sa fair hike kundi para labanan yung kolorum. At katulad ng ating inireport kahapon, nilalabanan po, especially ang proyekto po ng LTO ni Asec Lakanilaw, nakakahuli po sila ng mga kolorum,” she said.
When asked whether there might be subsidies or alternative assistance for jeepney drivers if no fare hike is granted, Castro said that the LTFRB is still studying possible support measures in light of rising oil prices.
“Actually kahit po sabihin natin na premature, ayon po kay Atty. Vigor Mendoza, pinag-aaralan pa rin po ang maaaring maibigay na tulong sa mga jeepney operators and drivers,” she added.
