TO THE DISMAY of drivers and operators of passenger-hailing buses ang jeepneys, President Marcos aborted the implementation of new fares in public utility vehicles, which should have taken effect this week.
“You know, when I woke up this morning, I saw the headlines and what was being talked about was the approved fare hike for our passengers. In my opinion, since we still have problems due to the war in the Middle East, maybe this is not the time to increase fares for our countrymen,” Marcos said.
He was concerned that the newly-approved fares for all PUVs will affect commuters, hence he ordered the Department of Transportation to suspend its implementation for now.
Drivers and operators of jeepneys (modern and traditional) and buses (both Metro Manila and provincial bus operators) have been clamoring for such fare raises because of the continuous hikes in pump prices, particularly diesel — the most common fuel used in public transportation.
Citing the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis, which resulted in higher pump and rice prices, the chief executive said the implementation of the higher fares will be temporarily deferred.
The DOTr said on Wednesday it will implement the president’s directive to suspend pending fare increases for public utility vehicles.
The DoTr in a statement said it is preparing a package of relief measures including free rides for passengers and toll discounts, after Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez held talks with toll operators.
The department added it is fast-tracking the release of fuel subsidies for qualified drivers and operators.
“The DOTr and all its attached agencies will continue to act swiftly to ensure that all possible assistance and support are immediately extended to commuters, drivers, and transport operators,” the DoTr said.
AIR & SEA FARES
The suspension covers fare hikes for land transport modes only. It does not extend to the Level 8 fuel surcharge that the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) approved Tuesday, and the Maritime Industry Authority’s (MARINA) memo on the same charges for vessels, Business Mirror reported.
Transport group Manibela President Mar Valbuena while praising the president for being so kind and good for aborting the fare hikes, however, criticized the government for its planned increases as “garbage.”
A one-peso increase won’t even get you anywhere. To our beloved President, you are so good—the fare increase hadn’t even been implemented yet and you already took it back,” he said.
“Among what we are considering is a strike—but can they give a P5, P2, P3 fare increase? What we are telling the President is to expedite the removal of the excise tax and the giving of aid,” Valbuena added.
Commuter group The Passenger Forum Convener Primo Morillo welcomed the cushioning measures but urged the government not to lose sight of transport workers caught in the same crisis.
Morillo said the most effective interventions would be those that benefit both passengers and drivers simultaneously.
“We welcome anything that will help cushion the impact of crude oil prices on our commuters. But we hope that drivers and other transport workers who are also affected by the crisis will not be forgotten either. It would be best if measures are implemented that would benefit both commuters and drivers alike, such as the suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products,” he explained.
UNCERTAIN TIMELINE
Malacañang has yet to say for how long fare hike suspension will remain in effect.
Global oil prices rose after the United States and Israel attacked Iran resulting in an ongoing armed conflict in the Middle East. The conflict has also started to affect rice and fertilizer prices.
Last Tuesday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) raised the fares for traditional jeepneys from P13 to P14 with the additional per-kilometer rate increasing from P1.80 to P2.
It also approved the rate increases for the following PUVs: modern jeepneys from P15 to P17, while the succeeding-kilometer rate was increased to P2.30; Metro Manila and city ordinary buses, from P13 to P15 for the first five kilometers with the per-kilometer charge rising from P2.25 to P2.49; air-conditioned city buses from P3 hike to P18 for the first five kilometers, with succeeding kilometers rising from P2.65 to P2.98.
Provincial ordinary buses were given a P1 hike for the first five kilometers, with varying per-kilometer increases depending on bus type—30 centavos for ordinary buses (P1.90 to P2.20), 35 centavos for air-conditioned deluxe and super deluxe buses (P2.10 to P2.45), and 45 centavos for luxury buses (P2.90 to P3.35).
For Transport network vehicle services (TNVS), their base fares were raised by P20 plus a P15 pick-up fee, pushing sedan base fares from P45 to P65, AUVs from P55 to P75, hatchbacks from P35 to P55, and premium TNVS from P145 to P165.
The flag-down rate for airport taxis fares were increased from P75 to P115.
Despite issuing the suspension order, Marcos gave assurances that the government will provide additional support to PUV drivers, who were affected by the fare hike suspension.
“Our transport workers need not worry because we will fast-track and increase our support for you so that you won’t have too much trouble,” he said.
P5,000 CASH AID
The Department of Social Welfare and Development started the rollout of its P5,000 cash aid to the PUV drivers, initially for those using tricycles, under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, last Tuesday.
The PUV drivers and their operators will also start getting fuel subsidies from the DOTr before the end of the month.
Free bus rides will be provided for commuters as the president asked the DOTr to coordinate with the management of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) to implement fare discounts.
He also ordered for toll road operators to provide discounts to motorists, which will use their facilities.
“Even if there is a major conflict [in the Middle East], always remember that the government is trying to eliminate or minimize its impact on our citizens, who report for work, and students, who go to school daily,” Marcos said.
“We are always thinking of new ways to ensure that your life is normal, orderly, and safe,” he quipped.