GROUP SAYS MINIMUM FARE TO GO UP TO P50

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Brace for a P50 minimum fare.

This was the warning of a commuters’ group on Wednesday (January 3), saying this is possible following the implementation of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

“Meron tayong malaking cost ng modernization. Hindi lang ito yung unit, kasama rito yung garahe, fees sa paggagawa ng coop, pagha-hire ng mekaniko at marami pang iba,” PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport (AIT) Convenor Edrich Samonte said.

In an interview with Saleema Refran and Ian Cruz on “24 Oras,” he said the modernization comes with a huge financial burden for operators and drivers.

“Ang basis po natin sa pagtaas ng pamasahe dahil kailangan pong magbayad ng operator ng utang. ‘Yung driver po kailangang kumita ng sapat para may mapangkain,” Samonte said.

The current minimum fare is P13 for traditional jeepneys and P15 for modern jeepneys but it may jack up to P50, the commuters group said.

“Tinitingnan natin ‘yung corporate, malalaking korporasyon mga kapitalista ang maaring humawak ng ating jeeps. Magkakaroon po tayo ng incentive para mag profit basically. Mas malaki yung profit na hindi naman sila mag-i-invest for nothing,” Samonte added.

(AI/MNM)