No jeepney fare hike till calamity victims recover

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) decided to withhold any fare increase for public utility jeepneys, both traditional and modern, considering the widespread economic impact of recent natural calamities.

Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said it was not the right time for a fare hike. He said, “A fare hike will have a big impact in the economy as a whole, especially since many provinces are yet to recover from the effects of calamities, such as the past earthquakes and typhoons.”

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development conducted a study showing that a P1 to P2 base fare hike for jeepneys would increase the country’s inflation rate in the next two years.

Aside from affecting commuters, he said the fare hike would also affect the prices of basic goods.

The Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) also supported DOTr’s decision, citing the recent big-time price rollback on diesel prices.

LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza said five regions, including Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas and Metro Manila, are against a fare hike.

During stakeholder dialogues conducted by LTFRB with transport groups, operators of public utility vehicles (PUV) said they are having second thoughts about a fare hike.

To help PUV drivers and operators earn enough for their daily sustenance, DOTr and LTFRB have partnered with the Department of Justice and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, creating the Anti-Colorum Task Force that will run after unregistered and illegal PUVs drivers.

An LTFRB study showed as much as 30% of the income of legitimate PUV drivers and operators goes to colorum PUVs.

Lopez said, “We will catch everyone involved in these illegal operations. DOTr and LTFRB will not stop in our pursuit for the sake of legitimate PUV drivers and commuters who rely on them.”

Mendoza called on unregistered PUVs, particularly unregistered transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers and operators, to avail of the 17,000 registration slots available for TNVS.