Public transport fares rise in E. Visayas amid higher fuel costs

TACLOBAN CITY — Commuters in Eastern Visayas will pay higher fares for public utility vehicles following the approval of a fare increase aimed at helping drivers and operators cope with rising fuel and operating costs.

For traditional public utility jeepneys, the minimum fare has increased from P13 to P14 for the first four kilometers, with an additional P0.20 for every succeeding kilometer.

For modern public utility jeepneys, the minimum fare is now P17 for the first four kilometers, up from P15, with an additional P0.20 for every succeeding kilometer.

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Fares for public utility buses and minibuses have also increased by P1.00 for the first four kilometers, with an additional P0.20 for every succeeding kilometer.

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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Eastern Visayas (LTFRB-8) said the adjustment, which implemented by the sector this week, would provide some relief to transport operators and drivers who have been dealing with higher fuel prices and other operating expenses.

LTFRB-8 Regional Director Gualberto Gualberto said the fare increase was timely given the continuing volatility of fuel prices.

“Government support can only go so far. With volatile fuel prices, we see this fare hike as very timely. I am sure our commuters would also understand,” Gualberto said in a media interview.

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier approved the recommendation to increase public utility vehicle fares, citing rising operating costs and the need to keep public transportation services viable.

The fare adjustment covers traditional and modern jeepneys, as well as public utility buses and minibuses. The DOTr approval supports the fare adjustment earlier approved by the LTFRB, along with provisional fare adjustments for UV Express and taxi services while their respective petitions are being resolved.

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Transport groups in Leyte welcomed the fare increase, saying the adjustment would help them cope with the continuing rise in fuel and other operating expenses.

Operators from the Leyte-based CATADOTCO, TACATRANSCO and RELTRANSCO said the higher fares would provide additional income for drivers and operators whose earnings have been squeezed by increasing costs.

“This is a big help to us drivers and operators. Since fuel prices started increasing, they have never really returned to their previous levels. Fortunately, the government provided assistance before this fare increase, which has also helped us,” said CATADOTCO chairperson Andres Castro.

RELTRANSCO head Michael Camiller also expressed appreciation for the approval of the fare adjustment.

“We are very grateful that, finally, our request was heard,” Camiller said.

Transport groups said the additional income could help offset the daily expenses of operating public utility vehicles, including fuel, maintenance and other costs.

The fare increase, however, also means an additional expense for commuters who rely on public transportation for their daily travel to work, school and other activities.

Transport groups acknowledged the need to balance the financial sustainability of public transportation operations with the ability of commuters to afford higher fares.

The fare adjustment comes as the national government implements measures to cushion consumers and transport workers from the effects of higher oil prices.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the temporary suspension of excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene as part of government efforts to ease the impact of increasing oil prices on consumers.

For the transport sector, however, fuel remains one of the largest recurring expenses in keeping public utility vehicles on the road.

Gualberto said government assistance could help, but fare adjustments remain necessary when operating costs continue to rise.

The LTFRB-8 reminded operators to strictly follow the approved fare rates and comply with existing regulations in implementing the increase.

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The agency said the adjustment seeks to help ensure the continued viability of public transportation while keeping services available to commuters. /das