CEBU: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Central Visayas will bring any petition for a minimum fare increase to their central office, said a transport official on Tuesday. Eduardo Montealto Jr., regional director of LTFRB-7, said operators of consolidated traditional and modern public utility jeepney (PUJ) units are directed to follow the existing tariff sans an approved fare hike. 'This (petition) will be brought to the central office upon our endorsement for further study,' Montealto told the Philippine News Agency. The Cebu Integrated Multi-Purpose Cooperative and other cooperatives of modern PUJ operators asked for a PHP5 increase to raise the existing minimum fare to PHP20. The request is way below the PHP40 base fare falsely projected by a transport leader once the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program is fully implemented. Montealto said the public should rely on fare hike advisories from the LTFRB, emphasizing that any erroneous information about public tra nsportation would only confuse commuters. 'Rest assured, LTFRB-7 will listen to the plight of the transport sector. Our office will be there to assist with whatever concerns of the cooperatives,' he said. In the meantime, drivers of consolidated units should collect the existing minimum fare of PHP15 to avoid getting slapped with a show-cause order by the LTFRB-7. Source: Philippines News Agency
