Jeepney, bus, taxi fares up again, effective friday

[fast lane]

Jeepney, bus, taxi fares up
Gov’t order takes effect starting on Friday
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:06:00 07/09/2008

MANILA, Philippines—An additional burden on commuters but a small relief for drivers and owners of public utility vehicles.

Starting this Friday, the minimum fare for public buses, taxis and jeepneys will go up by at least 7 percent, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced Tuesday.
LTFRB Chair Thomas Lantion said Malacañang ordered the fare increases. Transport groups seeking fare hikes are usually given 10 days to present their respective positions.

Based on Lantion’s announcement, jeepneys may charge a minimum fare of P8.50, up 50 centavos, and an additional 25 centavos, or from P1.25 to P1.50, for each succeeding kilometer.
Taxicabs may start charging an “add-on” rate of P10. However, there will be no increase in the flag-down rate and waiting time.

Buses plying Metro Manila routes may charge an additional P1, or from P9 to P10 for the first five kilometers, with additional 20 centavos for every succeeding kilometer (P1.75 to P1.95).
Air-conditioned buses may charge P12 from P11.50 plus P2.35 per succeeding kilometer from P1.75.

The latest round of fare increases is the second in less than two months amid soaring crude oil prices in the international market that have pushed up the cost of diesel in the country by 41.6 percent since the start of the year and by 63.4 percent since June 2007.

The pump price of diesel, the fuel used by public utility vehicles, now ranges from P53 to P54.97 a liter and could further go up by P16.

Provincial buses not covered
Provincial buses are not covered by the fare adjustment because they were earlier given “provisional increases,” Lantion said.

Lantion announced the fare adjustments in a phone-patch interview following the joint Cabinet-National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) meeting presided over by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which approved the new round of fare increases.

Lantion said the LTFRB had recommended to the NEDA board a fare increase of P1 for jeepneys for the first four kilometers, or from P7.50 to P8.50.

However, the new minimum fare of jeepneys this week will go up by 50 centavos because the LTRFB already approved a 50-centavo provisional increase in the third week of May.

Malacañang approved the fare petitions following demands from major transport groups for a fare hike as pump prices in the country increased for the 18th time last weekend.

Jeepney drivers want more
The Pinag-isang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) on Sunday called for up to 10 times the government’s proposed fare increase.

Piston said it wanted an increase of P4 to P5 in fares, up from the 50 centavos it sought in October last year when a liter of diesel cost only P36.

The Federation of Jeepney Drivers and Operators (Fejodap) also made a similar call, saying that after a series of weekend-increases in pump prices, it would amend its petition by seeking an increase in the minimum fare from P8 to P10.

Second-round effects
“These (fare increases) are second-round effects of inflation,” said acting NEDA Director General Augusto Santos.

Santos said inflation was expected to remain at double-digit levels in July after hitting a 14-year high of 11.4 percent in June but price growth should taper off later in the year.

The central bank expects inflation this year to reach 7-9 percent, well above the government target of 3-5 percent and 2.8 percent inflation in 2007.

Fuel subsidy
Santos said other “programs” to help public utility vehicles (PUVs) cope with the weekly fuel increases were still being discussed.

On the proposed P2-fuel subsidy per liter of diesel, Santos said that initially the instructions of Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza was to draft its mechanics and present it to the Cabinet.

When told that the mechanics were ready, Santos said: “In principle (it has been) approved by the Cabinet.”

Santos advised the LTFRB to “go back to the Cabinet (NEDA) board for final approval to implement it.” With reports from Riza T. Olchondra and Reuters

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquire...-taxi-fares-up

[tidus1203]

Its only fair that these hikes take effect.

[aga_cruz]

anu kaya mangyayari pagdating ng december 2008?

[badsekktor]

now everything goes up.... malas lang ng salaried warrirs since walang gustong magbigay ng increase....

ano kaya mangyayari sa disyembre....

[badsekktor]

now everything goes up.... malas lang ng salaried warriors since walang gustong magbigay ng increase....

ano kaya mangyayari sa disyembre....

[aga_cruz]

sa tingin ko mas worse pa ang mangyayari tsskkk...............3

[uls]

the govt was trying to suppress transport fare hikes to insulate commuters from the reality of rising fuel cost.

But the govt cant suppress fare hikes forever.

Eto na...