LTFRB-10: No PUJ fare hike
The adjusted fare matrix only applies in Luzon, not in CdeO and NorMin
IN spite of the P10 fare increase approved recently by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in three regions in Luzon, public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators in Mindanao are not allowed to collect the same fare.
This was the warning of LTFRB-10 regional director Aminoden Guro, as the fare hike will take effect starting November.
Guro said the adjusted fare matrix is only applicable in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog and not to the rest of the country.
He, however, said he has already submitted the petition of transport groups from the
region to the LTFRB central office. It is still subject for review and deliberation.
Guro said he even recommended to the agency the P10 minimum fare for Cagayan de Oro and other areas in Northern Mindanao, but added it is unlikely the fare increase in Luzon would be the same as in Mindanao.
“I have already announced that there is no fare increase for PUJs in the region. Those who will ask for more than the P7 minimum fare will be facing penalties from LTFRB,” Guro said.
He said for the first offense, a violator will be fined with P5,000.
Meanwhile, Guro said 15 e-jeepney units are expected to ply a new route by the end of the year.
He said these new type of PUJs will ply the Puerto-Opol-CM Recto and will travel in a loop. The other half of the ejeepneys will ply a reverse route.
Guro said the new route was proposed by the city government and was crafted by the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) during a workshop held here recently.
LTFRB has required local government units to create their local public transport route plan so new routes could be opened in their localities.