IT IS illegal for drivers to charge or collect the fare adjustment until they can pay for, and acquire the Increase of Fare Rate and Fare Matrix Guides which they will post in a conspicuous part in their units for the riding public to see.
No photocopy. Original Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Matrix, properly paid and issued.
And with this, LTFRB said only then can drivers and operators of public transport can collect and charge the approved adjustment for commuter riding the public utility jeepneys, buses and transport network vehicle service (TNVS).
Ordered last September 16 and will be effective October 4, the fare adjustment adds P1.00 to the original P11.00 base fare for the traditional public utility jeepneys, making the newly adjusted fare at P12.00 for the first four kilometers and another P1.80 for the succeeding kilometers.
For example, the adjusted fare from the terminal in Tagbilaran City to Cortes Plaza, which is on kilometer 10 marker in front of the church would only be P22.80.
Drivers on this route, even before the fare adjustment, have been over-charging at P25.00.
Overcharging, according to LTFRB Joint Administrative Order No 2014-01 is punishable by P5,000.00 for the first offense, P10,000 plus a 30 days impound for the unit on its second offense and P15,000 and cancellation of the Certificate of Public Convenience where the unit is authorized to ply.
For modern jeepneys, from the P13.00 for the first four kilometer and the 1.80 per succeeding kilometer, the new adjusted rate is P14.00 and P2.20 for the succeeding kilometers.
That means Tagbilaran to Poblacion Valencia, at kilometer 47, would be around P108.60 on a modern air-conditioned jeepney. This would be P81.00 on a traditional non air-conditioned jeepney as per new adjustment.
For Public Utility Buses (PUB), from the P9.00 base fare and 1.55 for the succeeding kilometers, LTFRB has added P2.00 making the first 4 kilometers fare rate at P11.00 and 1.90 for the succeeding kilometers.
That means, if one takes an ordinary bus from Tagbilaran to Getafe and disembark at the town plaza at kilometer 83, by October 4, he would be paying P161.00.
If one takes the air-conditioned bus, from the P9.00 base fare and P1.75 on succeeding kilometers, with the new rate is P11.00 base fare and P2.10 for every succeeding kilometer, the adjusted fare now is P176.00 aircon.
For TNVS, taxis and Grab or Uber, the new flag-down rate is P45 for sedans, P35 for hatchbacks and compact cars and P55 for SUVs.
The LTFRB has denied the increase fare rates for the succeeding kilometers for taxis and TVNS.
As to the LTFRB, requirements for the acquisition of the new fate matrix are: franchise, Official Receipt, Certificate of Registration and P570 for the increase of rate payment and matrix certification. (RAHC/PIA-7/Bohol)
