Jeepney operators seeks two peso increase in fare to P10

September 19, 2017

Five groups of jeepney operators asked the Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday to raise their current fare of P8 to P10 for the first four kilometers. "It is just and necessary to seek relief with the Houourable Board and pray for the increase of the minimum fee for the first four kilometers from P8 to P10 in order to cover the increase in diesel price, spare parts and other operational cost for our member drivers and operators," said the petitioners. These were the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines ( Fejodap), Liga ng mga Transport Operators ng Pilipinas, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, Alliance Transport Operators and Drivers Ass't of the Philippines and Pasang Masda. The petitioners said with the price of diesel fuel rising from P30 per liter to 32.64 from August to September and "with reports there will be another round of increase in diesel fuel pump price", it could "surely affect the income of drivers and operators which is unbearable to our respective members." They also cited the recent increase in minimum wage from P491 to P512 by the labor department on September 15, which including "peso depreciation, spare parts which are all imported experienced sudden increases as well as lubricants and operational cost for operators." LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada, in a message om Viber, said 15 days after the publication of the jeepney operators' rate hike petition, the board can discuss this in the second week of October. DMS