Hold Fare Hike, DOTr Tells PUJ Operators

While the PHP10 minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) was supposed to go into effect yesterday, November 2, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is asking jeepney operators and drivers to hold off on charging the new fare until the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued the revised fare matrix informing passengers about the increase.

"There is an existing rule that without an updated fare matrix, one cannot charge higher fare. Office will resume on Monday. It is only by then that the LTFRB can issue the fare matrix. Once it has been issued to the operators, that is the time when the drivers can charge higher fare," DOTr Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Road Transport Mark de Leon said in a statement issued late Thursday.

According to the LTFRB, it has prepared the new fare matrix last week in anticipation of the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day break. However, while the jeepney operators in Central Luzon have already made requests for the fare matrix, the agency said it has yet to receive applications from the National Capital Region and Southern Luzon.

With no new fare matrix issued yet, the LTFRB is warning PUJ operators and drivers that if they are found charging the increased fare without the new matrix, they will be apprehended for overcharging.