LTFRB okays P7.50 minimum fare for jeeps in NCR

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MANILA — After a series of reductions in the prices of diesel and other petroleum products, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has brought back the minimum fare of jeeps from Php8.50 to Php7.50 in the National Capital Region (NCR) effective Thursday.

This means that the minimum fare for students and senior citizens would also drop from Php 7 to Php 6.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez made the announcement in a public hearing in response to Negros Oriental Representative Manuel Iway’s petition last October requesting for the Board to reduce the minimum fare.

Transport group National Council for Commuter Protection (NCCP) has also submitted a formal petition to rollback the minimum jeep fare Thursday morning.

The Board approved a provisional reduction of Php 1 in the minimum fare of jeep, although this only covers the first four kilometers, with the fare rate for succeeding kilometers remained the same.

Ginez said the Board has directed regional LTFRB directors to assess the prevailing condition in their areas and make recommendation if minimum fare rollback is also feasible in their respective jurisdiction.

“Due to the continued decline in oil prices as the global market, the Board decided to implement provisional reduction in the minimum jeep fare in NCR,” LTFRB chairman. Ginez said during the hearing.

“This will be a great help to conserve the public Php1.

00 discounted fares especially during Christmas season,” he said.

The Board last June granted a Php 0.

50 fare hike for jeeps, noting that the increase had to strike a balance between the rights of jeep drivers and operators, and the rights of commuters who were mostly dependent on public transportation.

He said that like commuters, jeep drivers and operators also had needs that deserved to be taken into consideration. At the same time, he assured that the fare hike was properly reviewed.