THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday warned transport operators of possible penalties if most of their fleets opt to not operate amid planned transport strikes.
In a radio interview, Acting Chairman Greg G. Pua, Jr. said that operators that will not operate may be issued a show-cause order and a possible fine of P5,000.
Transport group Manibela will stage a three-day nationwide strike starting on Monday to protest high fuel prices as they assert that the government should focus on long-term solutions instead of implementing temporary fixes.
“Fuel subsidies are not enough. We need long term and concrete solutions to help driver-operators,” the group said in a statement.
At the same time, LTFRB has reminded drivers and operators to post the updated fare matrix on Sept. 28.
Last week, the Department of Transportation announced that the regulator approved adjusted fares for public utility vehicles effective on Monday.
Starting Sept. 28, the regulator approved a P1 increase for traditional jeepneys, raising the minimum fare to P14 for the first four kilometers, and P2 for every succeeding kilometer; while the new fare for modern jeepneys will be P17 from P15 and a P2.40 for succeeding kilometers.
For ordinary city buses, the base fare or the adjusted fare for the first five kilometers will be P15 from P13, and P2.49 for every succeeding kilometer; while for airconditioned buses the base fare will be P18 and P2.98 for every succeeding kilometer.
For provincial buses, the approved fare is P12 from P11 for ordinary buses, the LTFRB said.
Meanwhile; for airport taxis the new flagdown rate will be P115 from P75; while for transport network vehicle service, the approved flagdown rate for sedan units will be P65 from P45. — Ashley Erika O. Jose