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[av_heading heading=’Ceres seeks temporary fare hike ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – Citing a projected “dramatic” increase in its operational expenses, the operator of Ceres buses is seeking a fare increase for its southern Negros routes.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 will hold a hearing on the fare hike petition filed by Vallacar Transit, Inc. at 10 a.m. today at its Bacolod office on San Juan Street.
Bago Bridge in Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City, Negros Occidental will be repaired, stated the petition signed by Rene Macasa, manager of the Vallacar’s Southbound Terminal.
Effective Oct. 22, it will be closed to all heavy loaded trucks and passenger buses for 75 days, or until the repairs are done, the petition said, citing a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) notice.
The DPWH advised the banned vehicles to pass by Crossing Ubay via Crossing Mining to Napoles-Malingin Road to Bago City main highway, and vice versa.
The rerouting will “entail an additional 27 kilometers” and “adversely affect [Vallacar’s] daily operation expenses,” Vallacar said. “Among others, fuel, oil and other maintenance costs will dramatically increase.”
Vallacar wants the following rates to be added to its existing fares: non-air-conditioned (aircon) bus, P36.15; regular aircon, P41.85; deluxe aircon, P44.55; and super deluxe aircon, P47.26.
The transportation company clarified the increase will last only until the completion of the bridge repairs.
Vallacar said it is “willing and ready to comply with laws, rules and regulations of the [LTFRB] and all other terms and conditions the Board may impose from time to time.”
On Nov. 1 Vallacar made a fare adjustment but negative reactions on social media prompted the company to return to its old fares./PN
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