ILOILO City – Jeepney drivers imposing the newly approved minimum fare – P9 – but without an official fare matrix from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulation Board (LTFRB) may face a complaint for overcharging.
“Do not charge passengers with the new rate yet. The higher fare was approved all right but we have no fare matrix yet,” said Raymund Parcon, president of the Iloilo City Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA).
LTFRB’s central office is the one preparing the fare matrix, according to Parcon, for downloading to its regional office in Western Visayas.
LTFRB-6 has yet to receive the new matrix.
“Our drivers are wondering why the central office seems so slow in preparing the matrix. It has been over a week since the new fare rate was approved,” said Parcon.
It should be released fast, he stressed, because fuel prices keep on increasing.
Drivers illegally imposing the new fare face a fine of P5,000 for collecting without a fare matrix and another P5,000 fine for overcharging.
On June 22 Parcon confirmed that the LTFRB central office approved the petition for fare increase filed by three Iloilo transport groups – ICLAJODA, the Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Association (ICADA) and the Confederation of Iloilo Provincial Jeepney Owners and Drivers and Association (CIPJODA).
From P6.50, the minimum fare will be P9 already in this city and Iloilo province.
ICADA and ICLAJODA were the two biggest jeepney transport groups in Iloilo City. CIPJODA, on the other hand, is the sole alliance of jeepney operators and drivers in the province of Iloilo./PN