Jeepneys continue to ply along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on January 3, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board aims to come out with a resolution by April regarding the petition to increase jeepney fares, said LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz on Wednesday. 

Transport groups led by the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) sought a P2 provisional fare increase amid rising fuel prices. 

If granted, the fare for traditional jeepneys would go up from P13 to P15, while modern jeepney fares would increase from the current P15 to P17. 

ALTODAP President Boy Vargas said modern jeepney operators in particular are struggling since they are also still paying amortization. 

“Buwan-buwan nagbabayad kami dyan kasi modern (unit) yan e. May loan po kasi kami… Medyo mataas din ang konsumo (sa diesel) ng mga modern e dahil kasi may dinadala pong aircon yan,” he said. 

LTFRB nixes P17 minimum jeepney fare  

But during a hearing at the LTFRB office in Quezon City, Vargas noted that their new petition would only be temporary. 

“Pagbaba ng diesel, pwede naming ibaba rin yung pamasahe automatically, kasi ayaw din naming pahirapan yung mga mananakay,” he explained. 

Still, Guadiz said the LTFRB board would have to review the petition, especially considering that jeepney operators are already able to receive fuel subsidies whenever the benchmark Dubai crude price hits $80 per barrel. 

“May P10,000 po yan na fuel subsidy na binibigay namin which should act as a buffer doon sa pagtaas ng gasolina,” he said. 

“Kung mapruwebahan naman nila na kahit may P10,000 na fuel subsidy ay hindi pa rin po sapat yung kanila pong kinikita, then we will probably grant some of the request,” added Guadiz. 

The Department of Transportation earlier said that the latest tranche of fuel subsidy payouts will begin in March. 

Vargas however said that this is not enough. 

“Panandalian lang yun e. Sandali lang, ubos na rin agad,” he said. 

Some jeepney drivers have also complained about the disbursement process, saying it’s too slow or worse — sometimes it does not reach them at all. 

LTFRB reviewing P15 jeepney minimum fare petition  

Meanwhile, a separate group of jeepney groups have withdrawn their petition for a fare hike in consideration of commuters. 

“Kung anuman yung kakulangan, nakapagtitiis pa po yung aming mga miyembro,” said Deo Sotto, the National President of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines. 

Instead, they want the government to focus on bringing down diesel prices by amending the Oil Deregulation Law. 

“Tsaka bawasan na lang yung excise tax dahil napakataas po ng buwis natin sa fuel,” said Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas President Orlando Marquez. 

Guadiz said this will also be weighed when the LTFRB board makes its decision. 

“Magtataka po kayo bakit ang isang napakalaking grupo, magsasabing sapat na (ang pasahe). Pero yung ibang grupo sinasabihing hindi,” he said. 

The LTFRB will also need to consult first the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on the possible inflationary effects of a fare hike.