LTFRB Warns PUJs: No Fare Guide, No Fare Increase

The new PHP10 minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) takes effect today, November 2. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) though is warning PUJ operators and drivers that they can't charge commuters with the new fare if they don't have the new fare guide issued by the agency which then should be posted in their respective PUJs.

In short: No fare guide, no fare increase.

According to the agency's technical division, since the fare hike was approved in October 18, no operator has paid for the required fees to be eligible for the fare hike.

Broken down, the fees are as follows: PHP520 per Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), which every operator has to be eligible to operate a PUJ legally, plus PHP50 per PUJ unit under the operator for the fare guide itself for a total of PHP570. So if the operator has 10 PUJ units under his/her CPC, then the total is PHP1,020.

So as of yesterday morning, according to the head of the LTFRB's technical division, not a single one of the more than 41,000 PUJ operators in the National Capital Region has paid for the required fees needed to the agency to be eligible to charge for the new PHP10 minimum fare.

"In the interest of public service, and for clarification purposes especially for the riding public, please help disseminate: No Fare Guide - No Fare Increase," the LTFRB said in a statement sent to the media.

So there you have it. Do let us know in the comment box below if you were made to pay the new fare even if the jeepney didn't have the new fare guide issued by the LTFRB.