Another jeepney fare hike looms, but commuters’ group only supports slight increase

by Aug 30, 2022Featured Article, News

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30) — A commuters’ group on Tuesday said it is amenable to another looming jeepney fare hike to be decided by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) soon.

The LTFRB said it is inclined to approve a pending fare hike petition because it understands the frustration of jeepney drivers and operators amid another hefty oil price increase.

Transport groups are asking the regulatory board to increase the minimum fare to ₱15 from the current ₱11 for traditional jeepneys. The agency said it hopes to issue the exact amount next week.

“They are due talaga na for increase. Kasi the last time we had the fare rate increase ang level pa lang ng diesel noon ay ₱44 per liter,” LTFRB chairperson Cheloy Garafil said on Monday. “Just the question of kung magkano ang maibibigay namin na hindi naman siya magkakaroon ng impact sa inflation at siyempre ‘yung effect niyan sa ating commuters.”

[Translation: They are due for an increase because the last time we had a fare rate increase was when diesel was priced at P44 per liter. We have to decide on how much the increase will be, so that it will not have much impact on inflation and the commuters.]

National Center for Commuter Safety and Protection chairperson Elvira Medina said they only support a ₱2 fare increase.

“We would accept another increase, but not that high,” she told CNN Philippines New Day. “We agree of another ₱2 increase, that means that’s ₱13, not ₱15, because I think that is exorbitant on the part of an ordinary worker. That is very difficult for us to swallow that pill.”