Petition of transportation institutions to raise minimum fare.
Bus companies want minimum fare of P20 for air conditioned and P15 for non-air conditioned units in view of the recent spikes in gasoline prices.
Although oil prices have been reduced in the last three weeks, bus operators have complained to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that maintaining lower fares would be insufficient to cover the cost of their business.
At least two bus operators stated at the en banc LTFRB hearing on Thursday that some bus operators had stopped operating due to the significant rise in fuel prices in recent months.
They claimed that the price of diesel was just P44 per liter in 2018 when the present bus fares were imposed.
The Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association (SOLUBOA), Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa ng Panglalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, and Samahang Transport Operators ng Pilipinas (STOP) Inc. submitted a petition requesting P20 minimum fare for aircon buses in the first five kilometers and a P3.40 minimum fare for every succeeding kilometer.
For the non-air-conditioned buses, a minimum charge of P15 for the first five kilometers and P2.70 every kilometer after those five kilometers.
The minimum fares for city buses are P20 and P15, respectively.
The groups wanted a P15 minimum charge for provincial buses without air conditioning and P2 for each additional kilometer.
Following the five kilometers covered by the minimum fee, the groups requested P2.50 for standard air-conditioned buses, P2.60 for deluxe buses, P2.70 for super deluxe buses, and P3.60 for luxury buses for each additional kilometer.
The LTFB promised to look into the bus operators' united appeal and claimed they understand the concerns made by them.
Tags: #LTFRB, #bus companies, #oilpricehike