It is not the amount they were asking for but it can help.
That was the reaction of the leaders of two Bacolod transportation groups on Wednesday, October 4, to the P1 provisional fare increase granted for both traditional and modern public utility jeepneys (PUJ) nationwide by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The provisional increase will take effect Sunday, October 8.
The minimum fare for traditional and modern PUJs would be P13 and P15, respectively, LTFRB regional director Richard Osmeña said.
The 20 percent discount for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities remains, he said.
The provisional fare increase of P1 is for the first 4 kilometers, there is no increase for succeeding kilometers.
Eduardo “Junjun” Asis, Sentrong Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Negros secretary general, said the P1 provisional increase is okay, it can help a little.
His group was pushing for a P2 fare hike, Asis said.
Diego Malacad, Negros Drivers and Operators Center secretary general, said the increase can help a little but it is provisional and can be removed any time.
There is no assurance that it will remain until December, he said.
The good part is they won’t have to pay for a fair matrix, Malacad said.
“It is a band-aid solution but at least the drivers will have additional earnings at the end of the day,” he said.*