Transport groups have different requests regarding their proposed fare hike for public utility vehicles (PUVs), according to PISTON National President Mody Floranda.

“Magkakaiba yung petition. Yung iba ay merong ₱5; yung MANIBELA ay ₱2. Ang PISTON ay merong ₱10,” he said

[“The petitions differ. Others are asking for ₱5; MANIBELA is asking ₱2. The PISTON has ₱10.”]

However, transport groups still didn’t secure the grant to their request on fare adjustments covering traditional jeepneys, UV Express, motorcycle taxis, and regular taxis.

This follows the hearing conducted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on the pending fare hike petitions amid rising fuel prices.

According to  LTFRB Chairman Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, the agency lacks sufficient data to support or justify the requested fare hikes across the affected PUVs.

Mendoza noted that the board needs to gather data from relevant government agencies, primarily the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev).

However, for the meantime, the LTFRB is evaluating recommendations for a provisional fare increase.

“Meron silang prayer for provisional fare increase. Lahat yan across the board. So yun ay aming iko-compute ngayon,” Mendoza said

[“They have the prayer for a provisional fare increase. All of that across the board. So, that’s what we’re computing.”]

The LTFRB chief emphasized that they are carefully evaluating the adjustment for each type of PUV. He also stated that the agency understands the views of the transport groups. However, it is also necessary to consider the paying capacity of commuters, especially the minimum wage earners.

“Hindi naman natin pwede ibigay yung ₱10 provisional increase na hiningi ng PISTON. We have no data right now to support yung kakayanan ng ating mga mananakay na sagutin yung dagdag ₱10 sa unang apat na kilometro,” he said

[“We cannot simply grant the ₱10 provisional increase requested by PISTON. We have no data right now to support whether commuters can afford an additional ₱10 for the first four kilometers.”]

“Moreso, na-suspend yung kanilang minimum wage hike. So we have to do our math here kung kaya ba yung 10?” he added

[Moreso, their minimum wage hike was suspended. So, we have to do our math here to see if a ₱10 increase is feasible.”]

The LTFRB aims to finalize its recommendation for the interim fare hike within the week.