Jeeps, buses can charge new approved fare if they have matrix: DoTr

November 1, 2018

Jeeps and buses can charge higher fare as approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulation Board (LTFRB) starting Friday if they have the new fare matrix.

But LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said in a statement in Viber Thursday that while jeeps and buses can implement higher base fare, the board will review the latest increase.

"Pending review, the decision ( of higher fares), will be implemented," said Delgra.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Wednesday ordered the review of  the latest fare hike and called for a new way to determine increases in fares as he argued conditions for such a request may not hold when the LTFRB approve it.

Undersecretary for Road Transport Mark de Leon in a separate Viber message from the Department of Transportation (DoTr) on Thursday said: "There is an existing rule that without an updated fare matrix, one cannot charge higher fare.

De Leon said the LFTRB can only issue the matrix on Monday due to the long holidays. "Once it has been issued to the operators, that's the time when their drivers can charge higher fare," said de Leon,

Early last month, the LTFRB approved the increase of minimum jeepney fare to P10 from P9; and Metro Manila bus fare to P13 from P12 for air-conditioned units, and P11 from P10 for ordinary ones.

The DoTr said jeepney operators in central Luzon have requested for the fare matrix but those in the National Capitol Region and Calabarzon region have not made a similar request. DMS