GUIMARAS – The Buenavista Development Cooperative (BDC) is pushing for a P50 fare for pump boats going to Buenavista, Guimaras, and vice versa due to the high cost of fuel.
Meaning from P40, BDC is pushing to increase the fare by P10 to P50.
This is the reason why this Monday morning, March 14 Mayor Eugene Reyes spoke with three cooperatives traveling to Buenavista namely BDC, Yohan, and Buenavista Motorbanca Owners Association of Buenavista (BAMOSA) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to discuss whether it is really appropriate to raise the fare or not.
“They are pushing to increase the fare to Buenavista by P50 from P40 because fuel is expensive,” Reyes said in an interview with Panay News.
Among the other reason is the seating capacity of pump boats is still observing 70 percent seating capacity despite Alert Level 1 in Guimaras and Iloilo City.
For Reyes, the increase in seating capacity should be discussed after there is a possibility that the new fare rates of P50 will not be continued if the seating capacity increases.
“We will also talk about whether Iloilo City and Guimaras can increase their seating capacity to Alert Level 1. If they increase their seating capacity, should the fare be increased,” Reyes added.
According to Reyes, passengers will be affected if there is an increase in fares, especially since it is expected that the prices will balloon due to the oil price hike.
However, Reyes understands that the operators and drivers of pump boats are asking for a fare increase after the price of fuel has become very expensive and is expected to double digits this week./PN
