Bus operators are seeking a P20 for aircon and P15 for non-aircon minimum fares, citing the series of oil price hikes in the past months as the main reason.
While oil companies have implemented price rollbacks in the past three weeks, the bus operators told the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that the reduced prices are not enough to cover additional expenses in their operation.
During the en banc LTFRB hearing on Thursday, July 28, at least two bus operators said the huge increase in the price of diesel as a result of the big-time price hikes in the past months had prompted some bus operators to stop hitting the road.
They argued that the current bus fares were approved at a time when the price of diesel was only at P44 per liter in 2018.
Based on the petitions of the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association (SOLUBOA), Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa ng Panglalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, at Samahang Transport Operators ng Pilipinas (STOP) Inc., they were asking for P20 minimum fare for aircon buses in the first five kilometers and P3.40 for every succeeding kilometer.
For the non-aircon buses, they were asking for P15 minimum fare for the first five kilometers and P2.70 per kilometer after the five kilometer covered by the minimum fare.
Both the P20 and P15 minimum fare are for city buses.
For the provincial buses, the groups were asking P15 minimum fare for non-aircon buses and P2 for every succeeding kilometer.
For aircon buses, the groups were not asking for minimum fare increase but on succeeding per kilometer.
For regular aircon buses, the groups were asking for P2.50 per succeeding kilometer after the five kilometers covered by the minimum fare; P2.60 for every succeeding kilometer for De Luxe Buses; P2.70 for Super De Luxe and P3.60 for Luxury buses.
For its part, the LTFB said they understand the arguments raised by the bus operators and vowed to look into their joint petition.
Aside from the fare increase, the LTFRB said it is studying the opening of more routes to address the expected increase in the number of passengers once the face-to-face classes start in November this year.
The LTFRB said they are still waiting for the position of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) on the fare hike petition of bus operators.
The next hearing was scheduled on Aug. 11.