2,000 jeepney fare guides issued

More than 2,000 fare matrices have been issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to jeepney operators in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon allowing them to impose the new fare increase.

The LTFRB said 2,365 fare guides were distributed as of Monday at its three regional offices and at the central office in Quezon City.

A total of 803 guides have been issued in the National Capital Region office of the LTFRB, 717 at the Region 3 office, 566 at the Region 4, and 279 at the Central Office.

The board advised operators that the releasing of matrices for NCR will be done at the LTFRB Central Office due to limited space and influx of operators requesting for fare matrix at the NCR office.

Jeepney operators from the regions flocked to different LTFRB offices after Board Chairman Martin Delgra reminds them of the "no fare guide, no fare increase" policy which means that PUJ drivers need to secure first a fare matrix to be able to charge the new fare hike.

Last month, the board approved a P2 fare increase for PUJs in Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4 in line with the petition filed by transport groups in September 2017.

It also granted a provisional fare hike of P1 to commuter buses in Metro Manila, and an additional 15 centavo per kilometer charge for provincial buses.

Because the implementation of the decision for fare hike fell on a holiday, November 2, most of the operators failed to apply for a fare guide, delaying the imposition of the P10 fare.

Drivers must post the certified true copy of the matrix, bearing signature of the regional director and a seal, in a place on their vehicles where passengers can easily see it.

Drivers must give 20 percent fare discount to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students.