COMMUTERS in the National Capital Region (NCR) received an early gift from the government, as it ordered jeepney operators to reduce the minimum fare by P1 due to the series of rollbacks in fuel prices.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Winston M. Ginez said the provisional reduction would reduce the current minimum fare to P7.50 from P8.50.
Fares exceeding the minimum would also be reduced by a peso, to wit: a passenger from Cubao in Quezon City en route to Marikina Sports Center would only have to pay P9 instead of P10.
Discounted fares for students, senior citizens and disabled passengers were also reduced further to P6 for the minimum fare.
The decision for a rollback was in response to the petition of Rep. Manuel M. Iway of the First District of Negros Oriental, who sought the reduction in minimum fare in October.
“Dahil sa patuloy na pagbaba ng presyo ng langis sa pandaigdigang merkado, minarapat ng board na magpatupad ng provisional na pagbawas sa minimum fare ng mga pampasaherong jeepney sa NCR,” Ginez said. “Malaking ruling na katipiran sa publiko ang P1 bawas sa pamasahe lalo na ngayong kapaskuhan.”
The fluctuating diesel prices over the last five years dictated the minimum fare for public-utility jeepneys.
In 2009 diesel price was pegged at P23 per liter. Two years later, the price went up to P37.75 per liter, resulting in fare hike from P7 to P8.
In 2012 diesel prices went up to P48 per liter, resulting in another minimum fare hike of P0.50 to P8.50 for the first 4 kilometers.
With the series of diesel-price reduction recently, the average price of diesel per liter is now at P33, prompting the LTFRB to decide to reduce the minimum fare to P7.50.
Ginez said his office has directed regional LTFRB directors to assess the prevailing condition in their areas and make recommendations if a minimum-fare rollback is also feasible in their respective jurisdiction.
Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) National President George F. San Mateo said his group welcomes the rollback.
“Panawagan din namin na ibaba din ang passenger at freight rates ng mga malalaking kumpanya sa transport gaya ng MRT/LRT, shipping lines at airline fares sa halip na ang pinagdiskitahan lang ng gobyerno na ibaba ay ang pasahe sa mga jeep na pawang minamaneho ng mga mahihirap na tsuper na kumikita lang ng P300 to P400 per day, which are way below sa P466 minimum wage ng workers sa Metro Manila at way below din sa government mandated daily family living wage na P1,063 per day for a family of six katao,” San Mateo stressed.
Image credits: Kevin dela Cruz