No fare hike for modern PUVs – LTFRB

By: Gerome Dalipe

THERE is no fare increase for modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and electronic jeepneys (e-jeep), the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

The LTFRB issued the clarification following reports that modernized operators are seeking fare increase to compensate for their operations and cost of the units.

In the statement, the LTFRB emphasized that Memorandum Circular 2019-061 on fare rates for modern PUJs and e-Jeeps was merely to establish a nationwide fare guideline as the baseline for modern PUVs and to standardize fare computations for such types of units.

Under the memo circular, the fare computation for non-air-conditioned electric and modern PUJs is 20 percent higher than regular PUJ services for the first four kilometers.

But the same rate should be applied for every succeeding kilometer, the LTFRB said.

For air-conditioned electric and modern PUJs, fare rate is 20 percent higher than regular PUJ servicers for the first four kilometers, and 20 percent higher for every succeeding kilometer.

The LTFRB reiterated that memo circular 2019-061 only covers fare guidelines for modern PUJs and e-Jeepneys and should not affect regular PUJ services.

In 2018, jeepney operators of modernized fleets sought for fare increases to offset the cost of meeting new standards set by the government.

They wanted the base fare raised to P10 for non-air-conditioned units and P12 for air-conditioned units from the current P8.

The modern jeepneys are equipped with surveillance cameras, WiFi, dashboard cameras and automated fare collection systems.

Apart from base fare increase, the modern jeepney operators also asked for a “Rush Hour Rate” or a P1 and P2 increment for non-air-conditioned and air-conditioned units, respectively, during peak hours.

Modern jeepneys began serving select Iloilo City routes a week ago.