LTFRB denies bus fare hike petitions

NO FARE INCREASE. A Bicol-bound provincial bus gets stalled along the highway. Photo by INQUIRER.net’s Rick Alberto

MANILA, Philippines—The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has  denied petitions by provincial and Metro Manila bus operators for an increase in minimum fares, citing the steady decline in diesel fuel prices.

In a decision on Wednesday, the LTFRB rejected a petition by the Inter-City Bus Operators Association Inc. (Interboa) for an increase in the minimum fare for ordinary buses P14 for the first five kilometers from the current P9. The group also asked for an adjustment in the rate for every succeeding kilometer to P2.50 from P1.85.

For air-conditioned buses, the group wanted minimum fares raised to P17 from the current P11 for the first five kilometers P2.90 for every succeeding kilometer from P2.20.

“It is public knowledge, and matter of judicial notice that the prices of fuel the past month has been dropping continuously,” the LTFRB said. “Finding no cogent reason to disturb the existing fare structure, and warrant an increase of fare for Metro Manila, the petition for fare hike… is hereby dismissed,” it said.

It also rejected separate petitions for fare increases by the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines and the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association.

The PBOAP had asked for ordinary bus fares to be increased by P3 to P12 for the first five kilometers and the rate for every succeeding kilometer increased to P1.70 from P1.40.

For aircon buses, the company asked for a minimum fare of P50 for the first five kilometers, up by P15 from current rate. The group asked that the rate for every succeeding kilometer be hiked by 30 centavos to P1.90 for ordinary air-conditioned buses, P2 for deluxe buses, P2.10 for super deluxe and P2.55 for luxury aircon buses.

For its part, Southern Luzon association asked that ordinary bus fares be increased to P11.50 from P9, and the rate for every succeeding kilometer be raised to P1.80 from P1.30. For air-conditioned buses, the group asked that fares be raised to P60 from P35 for the first 26 kilometers, and to P2.15 from P1.65 for every succeeding kilometer.