Cebu buses reduce minimum fare to P6

AS restive transport workers throughout the country clamor for increased fares, Cebu buses are giving commuters a break—fare cuts!

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday granted the petition filed by various transport organizations in the province of Cebu, seeking for a provision P2.50 reduction on the minimum fare of ordinary buses and mini buses.

LTFRB chairman Nelson Lacuces and Board members Lawyer Manuel Iway and Samuel Garcia ordered ordinary buses and mini buses in Cebu to reduce fares from the approved P8.50 for the first five kilometers to P6.00.

The LTFRB order was based on the petition filed by members of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators’ Association (CPBOA) and Cebu United Mini Bus Operators Association (CUMBOA) claiming that they were not consulted when the LTFRB imposed a nationwide fare of P8.50 for ordinary provincial and mini buses and an addition P1.40 for the succeeding kilometers.

The groups said that the order was issued without the active participation of the local government officials, bus operators, commuting public and other stakeholders of Cebu.

Both groups claimed that they decided to file a petition seeking for a fare reduction because
they believed that the earlier fare increase order of the LTFRB is unreasonable for the people of the province.

“The board is very much appreciative of the efforts of the Province of Cebu and its bus
operators to alleviate the plight of its constituents and commuters and favorably grants this application which it believes will greatly benefit the general public in the province of Cebu,” the LTFRB stated in a three page order.

Iway in a separate interview said that move of the public transport operators in Cebu clearly proves that a transportation company that is properly manage can still generate income amid rising oil prices.

He added that with the latest order of the LTFRB the fare of ordinary buses and mini buses in Cebu is now lower than the fare of public utility jeepney in the province which is P8.00 for the first kilometers.

The request of PUBs in Cebu might somehow put doubt on the claims of majority of the transport organization in Metro Manila and nearby provinces that a fare increase is needed for them to cope with the skyrocketing fuel prices being imposed by oil companies.

This is because Cebu bus operators in Cebu can afford bring down their fare to P6.00 despite fuel prices in the province is P4.00 to P5.00 higher than the Manila pump prices. –JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA CORRESPONDENT, Manila Times