The minimum fare of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will increase to P11 nationwide starting Friday, July 1, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said in an order released Wednesday, June 29.
Eduardo “Junjun” Asis, acting secretary general of the Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros, said the granting of the fare hike is good news for them.
It will be added income for the drivers with the rising prices of fuel, he said.
Diego Malacad, United Negros Drivers and Operators Center secretary general, said the increase can temporarily help the drivers but it will also mean less passengers.
The better solution is to withhold the excise tax on fuel, he said.
He said the current jeepney fare in Negros Occidental is P10.
If the LTFRB increased the fare by P2, it could mean the fare will be 12 but clarification is needed, Malacad said.
The new minimum fare is applicable during the first four kilometers, with no increase in succeeding kilometers, the LTFRB order said.
All PUJ services are directed to grant senior citizens, students and disabled persons a fare discount of not less than 20 percent, the order said.
“It is mindful of the present economic state of every Filipino brought about by the continuous rise in oil prices in the world market and the reeling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic”, the LTFRB said in its order.
“With the cautious examination of the complexities of the various concerns of our stakeholders, the Board balances these interest guided by the principle that now more than ever, the need for the riding public to have mass transportation must be sufficiently met,” it said.*