Domogan backs taxi fare cut

DOMOGAN, 4

BAGUIO City Mayor Maurico Domogan is backing moves to lower public transport fare.

The chief executive said he is supporting moves by the council to ask the Depart-

ment of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to reconsider fare adjustments in the highlands.

Domogan said commuters have been complaining about the increase and finds reasonable grounds for their dismay admonishing taxi fare hikes has affected the riding public while the impending jeepney fare increase looms.

“We have to find the reasonable increase and come out with a balance,” said Domogan.

Next week, a petition filed by some Jeepney operators will be heard regarding the proposed increase of jeepney fare rate from P8.50 to P14.00 with an additional cost after four kilometers is set.

The DOTr said the hearing will determine the amount of fare increase.

Domogan said the jeepney fare hike is almost 50 percent saying a middle ground must be met to assess what is reasonable for both commuters, drivers and operators.

The local council has communicated to the LTFRB and the DOTr to decrease the fare of taxi for the sake of the riding public which hiked with an additional P14.50 per kilometer and P2 per minute charge.

Increase of fare was also attributed to fuel prices which are higher by at least P5 nationwide with the Department of Energy (DOE) explaining the disparity in price in La Union with Baguio City is based on the P25 international price import content, P7 excise tax, P6 value added tax all amounting to P38 minus while the remaining P22 is the industry take.