There is no basis to increase the minimum fare of jeepneys to P50 due to the implementation of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) said Sunday.
In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, OTC chairman Andy Ortega said that in the past six years, the minimum fare only rose from P9 to P13 for traditional jeepneys, and P11 to P15 for modern jeepneys.
“Sa mga nagsasabing aangat ng P30, P40, P50, I think let us all be sensitive sa sitwasyon. This is a very hot issue, napaka-kontrobersyal ng ganong pananalita. I think it’s just right that we do not give statements na walang basehan at nakakasama,” Ortega cautioned.
(To those who are saying that the jeepney fare will increase to P30, P40, P50, I think let us all be sensitive to the situation. This is a very hot issue, and these remarks are very controversial. I think it’s just right that we do not give statements that have no basis and are harmful.)
“Wala kaming nakikitang basehan na after five years, magiging P50. That is unfair. Walang basis,” he added.
(We see no basis that it will increase to P50 after five years. That is unfair and has no basis.)
Commuters’ group PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport earlier warned of a P50 minimum fare for modern jeepneys, stressing that the PUV modernization program comes with a huge financial burden for operators and drivers.
“Meron tayong malaking cost ng modernization. Hindi lang ito yung unit, kasama rito yung garahe, fees sa paggagawa ng coop, pagha-hire ng mekaniko at marami pang iba,” said PARA-AIT Convenor Edrich Samonte.
(The modernization entails huge costs, not only for the modern jeepney units but also for the garage, cooperative fees, and hiring of mechanics, among others.)
“Ang basis po natin sa pagtaas ng pamasahe dahil kailangan pong magbayad ng operator ng utang. ‘Yung driver po kailangang kumita ng sapat para may mapangkain,” Samonte added.
(The basis for the minimum fare is the drivers and operators’ expenses for the PUVMP.)
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has also dismissed the concerns on the reported possible fare increase for jeepneys. It said that fare increases have to undergo first the process of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).—Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News
