By Alex San Juan
Jeepney operators in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon are expected to flock on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional offices on Monday to receive their fare guide to be able to charge the newly-approved fares.
This was after the LTFRB warned public utility jeepney drivers and operators on a "no fare guide, no fare increase" policy in which drivers cannot charge higher fares until an updated fare matrix is issued.
(ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"PUJ drivers caught violating this rule will be apprehended for overcharging," the LTFRB said in a statement.
As the implementation of the decision for fare hike falls on a holiday, November 2, most of the operators failed to apply for a fare guide that delays the imposition of the P10 minimum jeepney fare.
LTFRB Chairman Atty. Martin Delgra III said that some PUJ operators in Region 3 have received their fare matrix from its regional office in Pampanga but the fare guide has been made already available since last week in anticipation of Undas.
"I think one of the reasons why PUJ operators and drivers failed to apply for the fare increase is because of the motion for reconsideration filed against the hike which we are able to resolve this week," Delgra said in an interview.
The board earlier denied a petition of a commuters group to stop the imposition of the fare hikes as the oppositors "failed to present new issues for the board to reconsider its earlier findings."
With the delay, Delgra said regional directors of the LTFRB's regional offices have been reminded with the expected influx of PUJ operators.
"Sa regional offices ng LTFRB available ang mga taripa. 'Yung fare matrix P50 ang bayad, and may babayaran na P500 for the application to avail the new fare rate," he explained.
The LTFRB Chief also reminded drivers to post the certified true copy of the fare matrix, bearing signature of the regional director and a seal, on their PUVs where passengers can easily see it.
Based on the petition filed by the transport groups in September 2017, Delgra reiterated that the new P10 minimum fare on PUJs will only take effect in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.
The board has also granted a provisional fare hike of P1 to commuter buses in Metro Manila, and an additional P0.15 per kilometer charge for provincial buses.
LTFRB said that some PUBs have already secured fare matrix for their fare hike.
'Student discount'
Delgra also told drivers to give 20 percent discount on fares of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students.
"They will still continue to enjoy, 'yung ating mga senior citizen, PWD, student, ng 20 percent discount," he said.
Students are also entitled of the discounted fares even on weekends and holidays, as long as they have their student identification cards, Delgra added.