BACOLOD City – Transport groups in Negros Occidental are hoping the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will soon release the new fare rate.
A petition for a P2 fare hike for the first four kilometers was earlier filed by the Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros (SSTONE) and the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (Febacda), citing the rising prices of fuel.
Eduardo Asis, secretary general of SSTONE, went to LTFRB Region 6 office in Iloilo City on Sept. 19 and talked with Regional Director Richard Osmeña to follow up on the petition.
Osmeña told Asis that the national office was ready to approve the fare hike, though the specific amount had not yet been finalized.
The current minimum fare for traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJ) is P8.50 and P12 for modernized jeeps.
“Some passengers are now paying P10 in traditional PUJs because they understand the plight of the drivers,” Asis said./PN
