LTFRB sets aside jeepney group' rush hour 'surge fee' plea, to act on P2 fare hike petition first
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has temporarily archived the P1 surge fee during rush hours being sought by transport groups.
But the LTFRB said it will still act on the petition until the request for the P2 fare hike by transport groups is resolved.
“We would like to clarify that the first petition filed by some transport groups regarding the P1 rush hour fare hike has not been rejected but rather set aside right after a new petition for a P2 fare increase was filed,” the LTFRB said in a statement.
“The LTFRB Board will still, however, resolve the first petition while prioritizing the most recent one filed due to oil price hike,” it added.
Jeepney transport groups earlier asked for a surge fee of P1 from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., saying this would help them cushion the impact of the high fuel cost.
Last week, at least four jeepney transport groups sent a letter to the LTFRB to request for a P2 fare hike, citing the series of big-time oil price hikes in the past few weeks, including the Aug. 15 fuel increase with P1.50 hike in diesel price per liter.
“There are many factors to consider when reviewing fare hike petitions or requests. These factors should have to be carefully studied, reviewed and validated by the Board before we can allow any fare hikes,” said LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III in a statement in connection with the P2 fare hike.
“We understand the urgency of the situation and that is why the Board will convene to determine if the fare hike request has merit,” he added