LTFRB to hold weekly hearings for fare hike petitions

MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to hold weekly hearings and public consultations on petitions for fare increases in public transportation following a series of oil price hikes.

In a statement on Wednesday, LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said the hearings are in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to strike a balance between the welfare of commuters and those in the transport sector.

“We will be holding two hearings next week to discuss all the issues surrounding the petitions for fare increase. And we will be holding weekly hearings in relation to the matter after that,” Mendoza said.

He noted that various transport groups have filed several petitions to increase the minimum fare for public transport due to the continuous rise in oil prices and rising maintenance costs.

A verification study conducted by the LTFRB also validated the arguments raised in these petitions.

“Drivers and operators are really at a disadvantage in the prevailing fare matrix. The arguments they raised in the petition are valid and really represent the realities on the ground for those in the transport sector,” he said.

A summary of the hike petitions, he said, asked to make the PHP1 provisional fare increase in 2023 permanent, in addition to a PHP2 increase in the minimum fare, from the current PHP13 to PHP15, for traditional jeepneys.

“We understand that any increase in fares affects the daily lives of commuters who rely on jeepneys for affordable transportation, but we must also ensure that our drivers and operators can not only sustain safe and reliable services amid rising costs, but are also able to provide for the needs of their families,” he said.

Aside from passenger jeepneys, passenger buses and taxis are also seeking fare hikes.

In addition to inviting experts, the hearings will also be held in coordination with other concerned government agencies, particularly the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.

In 2023, the LTFRB approved a PHP1 provisional increase for passenger jeepneys, increasing the minimum fare to PHP13 for traditional jeepneys and PHP15 for modern jeepneys. (PNA)