Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Taking the jeepney may become a little less stressful if only passengers pay lower fares.
Major jeepney operators — Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang Masda), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) — all agree that it’s time they give back to passengers by slashing 50 centavos from the minimum fare.
They said that from the current P7.50, they want to make it a flat P7. This is in consultation with their members.
This move is definitely supported by passengers themselves.
One passenger, Lorena Ojo, lauded the move, saying that everytime she pays P8 for the fare, drivers do not give her change back.
“That 50 centavos is a big thing. If you are able to save P3, you can use that for other important things,” said another passenger Magdalena Darantinao in Filipino.
Zeny Maranan, national president of the FEJODAP, said they want to let the government know that they have initiative to lower fares if needed.
World crude prices continue to plummet, impacting on local prices. Gasoline prices decreased seven times now since October 2015, ranging from P33 to P40 per liter, and diesel 10 times with a prevailing price of P19 to P23 per liter.
Jeepney operators said they have reached the benchmark. But this may not sit well with some jeepney drivers.
Jeepney driver Boy Salonga said he is not in favor as drivers pay for spare parts too, and not only diesel.
The national president of Pasang Masda, Roberto Martin, also urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to lower the prices of spare parts as oil prices went down.
ACTO National President Efren de Luna said what’s needed is a win-win solution for the passenger, operator, and the government.
Operators will file on Wednesday (January 20) before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) a provisional authority for a voluntary reduction.
Jeepney operators hope their request will be granted fast to ease the burden on commuters.
They recalled the last time they asked for approval to cut fares, the decision was issued within days.
