By Gabriela Baron
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday, Oct. 18, said it will study the petitions filed by transport groups seeking to charge every commuter a “surge fee.”
LTFRB said it received on Friday, Oct. 14, the petition of Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization to put a “surge” on the fares of traditional modern public utility jeepney (PUJ) and public utility bus (PUB).
“Base sa petisyon, hiling ng transport groups na lagyan ng dagdag-pasahe sa kada kilometrong biyahe tuwing rush hour o peak hours,” LTFRB noted.
Transport groups are batting for a “fuel surcharge” during rush hour from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. amid the continued oil price increase.
“Nauunawaan ng pamunuan ng LTFRB ang hinaing ng mga drayber at mga operator na itaas muli ang pamasahe dulot ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo,” it added.
“Bukod diyan, naiintindihan din ng LTFRB ang panawagan ng mga komyuter na ang muling pagtaas ng pamasahe ay lalong magpapahirap sa pang araw-araw na gastusin.”
The boarc said it is currently “putting the petition aside” and considering the points laid out by the transport groups.
“Patuloy ang LTFRB sa pag-aaral ng mga petisyong inihahain sa ahensya at iba pang mga polisiya para sa kapakanan ng mga driver, operator, at mga pasahero,” it said. –ag
READ MORE: Transport group asks for ‘surge fee’ in jeepneys during rush hour
