DOTr to Seek Guidance on Provisional P1 Fare Hike

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will seek advice from economic managers on calls for a P1 jeepney fare hike to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices caused largely by the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran.

- Alexis Romero and Louella Desiderio

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said there is a need to consider the effects of a fare hike, which transport groups claimed would provide relief to jeepney drivers grappling with higher operational costs.

"We will talk about that because we need to strike a balance on the effects of a higher fare on our commuters. We need to study that and balance it carefully so we will consult our economic team on that so we can seek guidance," Dizon told a Palace press briefing yesterday.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has said that jeepney fares could go up by P1, but there would be no per-kilometer hike because such an adjustment would be burdensome to commuters.

Teofilo Guadiz III, LTFRB chairman, has raised the possibility of fare increase if international oil prices breach the $80 per barrel mark based on Dubai crude.