P9 minimum jeepney fare maybe back soon, LTFRB says
Published Mar 15, 2023 10:30 am
The minimum fare for traditional jeepney may soon be back to P9 once the Department of Transportation (DOTr) gives the go-signal for its implementation through the Service Contracting Program.
The P9 minimum fare for traditional jeepney before the Covid-19 pandemic was raised to P12 following the series of oil price hikes last year.
Teofilo Guadiz III, chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), said the proposed return to pre-pandemic P9 minimum fare for traditional jeepney is covered by the P1.2 billion fund from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The P1.2 billion fund was supposed to be allocated for the extension of the free ride for passenger buses plying the EDSA route, which ended in December last year.
But it was later decided to be used for other public utility vehicles, particularly jeepneys, to cover as many commuters.
“We are just waiting for the downloading of the money to the LTFRB. Once it is downloaded, we will start the Service Contracting (Program),” said Guadiz.
“We also have to take the cue from the Office of the Secretary, how they intend to do it. I think what they would do is that they would use the P1.2 billion in order to cover as many transport services on a nationwide scale,” he added.
Guadiz said they are hopeful that more funds will be allocated to extend its implementation especially amid the continuous rise in inflation rate in the country.
“I believe the budget may last only for about 6 months, half a year. So as early as now, I am requesting the DOTr to come up with additional funding so that this program would be extended until the end of this year,” said Guadiz.