By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Sept 20 (PNA) — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to conduct a public hearing on proposed adjustments for fare rates in taxi (airport and metered) and public utility jeepney (PUJ) services on Monday (Sept 21), at 9 am.
On a notice to the public shared on its official Twitter account on Sunday, the Board encouraged all interested parties to attend and participate in discussions.
Expected to be tackled in the hearing is the reduction of fare rate for taxi service and airport taxi service of Php1 from the existing Php3.50 to Php2.50 for every succeeding 300 meters.
Also expected to be tackled is the provisional reduction of fare rate for PUJ service for Metro Manila, parts of regions 3 and 4 of Php1 from previously authorized Php8.50 to Php7.50 for PUJ service to be ordered permanent.
And finally, the increase of fares of taxi service in Metro Manila and provinces from Ph3.50 to Php5 for every two minutes of waiting time.
The hearing will be conducted following petitions filed by a lawmaker and taxi operators for fare adjustments.
To recall, Negros Oriental Representative and former LTFRB board member Manuel Iway, filed two petitions on Aug 7 for the reduction of fare rates for PUJ services for Metro Manila and parts of Regions 3 and 4, and the reduction of fare rate for regular taxis and airport taxi services.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association (PNTOA) also filed a petition on Aug 6 for the increase of fares in Metro Manila and provinces.
In his petition, Iway requested for the reduction of fare of Php 1.00 from the existing Php 3.50 to Php 2.50 for every succeeding 300 meters for taxi services and airport taxi services nationwide.
He also requested the reduction of fare by Php 0.25 for every succeeding kilometer for PUJ services in Metro Manila and parts of Regions 3 and 4.
The PNTOA petition, which was filed by its vice president, Leo Carlo San Juan, requested for the increase in the rate of waiting time of taxi air-conditioned services in Metro Manila and in the provinces from Php 3.50 to Php 5.00 for every two-minute waiting time. (PNA)