Transport groups seek P10 minimum fare

groups are seeking a P10 minimum fare in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

Similar fare hike petitions will be filed in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN region.

Vigor Mendoza, I-Utak chairman, told The STAR the petition will not cover the Bicol region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula and Caraga region.

“As far as petitioners are concerned, in deference to the plight of the public still coping from the recent natural and man-made calamities, and on the assumption that oil companies have refrained from increasing fuel prices in these areas,” he said.

Mendoza said the fare hike is from P8 to P10 for the first four kilometers, and from P1.40 to P1.75 for every succeeding kilometer.

Mendoza said the fare hike is based on P37 price of diesel fuel in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

“On a day to day basis, this means jeepney drivers would have to shoulder an additional P210 more or less,” he said. “This is not the end, however, as oil prices threaten to increase even further as of the filing of this petition.”

Filing the fare hike petitions are the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Alliance of Transport Operations and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Federation of Jeepney Drivers Association of the Philippines and Land Transportation Organization of the Philippines, he added.

Mendoza said the government has not done anything substantial about public utility vehicles operating without a franchise or out of line.