LTFRB cuts jeepney minimum fare to Php 7 in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog

Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. (Photo from ShutterStock/Donatas Dabravolskas)

MANILA – Starting Friday (Jan 22), passengers taking the jeepney will only have to pay Php 7 for first four kilometers of travel instead of Php 7.50, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced Thursday.

This was after the LTFRB ordered an additional provisional fare reduction of Php 0.50 for the first four kilometers of jeepneys plying in Metro Manila, Region 3 and Region 4 due to a recent drop in diesel prices.

Fare reduction was first taken into consideration after a group of jeepney operators filed a petition for a voluntary fare rollback.

These transport groups include the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Liga ng mga Tsuper at Operator sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LTOP), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), and Pasang Masda Nationwide, Inc.

Under the Order, the incremental fares for the succeeding kilometers after the first four kilometers will remain at Php 1.50/km.

LTFRB chairman Atty. Winston Ginez said that when oil prices go up in the world market, the Board may authorize increase of fares but when oil prices drop, the Board will not hesitate to reduce fares.

Ginez said that this would enable transport operators maintain their viability and continue serving the riding public.

He meanwhile said that the Board had ordered all regional directors to conduct public hearing in their respective areas to assess the impact of the continuous drop in fuel prices to public utility vehicles/buses (PUVs/PUBs) operators and the commuters.

“Taking into proper account and consideration the confluence of circumstances and incidents that transpired in local and world market, the Board resolves to grant the instant Consolidated Petition for Provisional Reduction PUJ Services,” Ginez said.

“We believe that the effect of the series of oil price rollback must also benefit the riding public by reducing the minimum PUJ fare,” he added.