ILOILO CITY — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Western Visayas (LTFRB-6) is still waiting for the original copy of the approved resolution on the new minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the city and the province of Iloilo.
The central office of LTFRB already approved the petition for PHP2 hike, raising the minimum fare to PHP8.50 for the first four kilometers from the original PHP6.50 fare.
Richard Osmeña, Regional Director of LTFRB-6, on Thursday said their central office has informed them that they already sent the document.
“But it has not yet reached our office, we are still waiting,” he said in an interview.
Osmeña said they expect the document to arrive by Monday next week.
Once received, they still have to publish the approved rate in a local newspaper for 15 days before the minimum fare takes effect, he said.
Osmeña reiterated that the fare hike only covers the first four kilometers of travel because there was no petition filed for the succeeding kilometers.
Earlier, various jeepney drivers and operators operating in the city and the province petitioned for the fare increase due to the additional excise tax on petroleum products, basic commodities and vehicle spare parts as among the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.
A series of public hearings were conducted to tackle the petition of the drivers, which gathered representatives of the various stakeholders. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
