Metro Manila, Philippines – Bus and jeepney transport groups renewed their call to the government for a fair, sustainable fare increase amid the big-time oil price hikes in the past three weeks.
They warned that the government’s long-overdue fare adjustment for public utility vehicles will inevitably affect commuters as the actual cost of service becomes more constricting for the operators.
In an appeal signed by groups of provincial and city bus operators on Tuesday, Sept. 22, they said fuel now accounts for as much as 60 percent of operating costs.
On Tuesday, for the third consecutive week, gasoline increased by up to ₱4.88 per liter, diesel by ₱8.82 per liter, and kerosene by ₱6.47 per liter.
“We are not asking the government for ayuda (financial assistance). We are not asking taxpayers to carry our businesses. We are asking for a fair and sustainable fare that reflects the real cost of operating public transportation,” the bus operators said.
They said suspending the fare adjustment “merely delays the crisis” until operators can no longer deploy roadworthy buses.
Jeepney groups MANIBELA and PISTON hold the same view, saying the daily earnings of transport workers are becoming increasingly insufficient to support their families.
The two groups have announced a nationwide transport strike next week from Sept. 28 to 30.
