The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced
that starting today, October 8, 2023, the minimum fare of jeepneys nationwide will
increase by P1, from P9 to P10.
However, this new tariff has sparked outrage among commuters in Bohol, who have
been suffering from overcharging by jeepney and public utility bus (PUB) operators
and drivers for a long time.
According to some passengers, they have been paying the pandemic rate of P15 per
ride even though Covid-19 is gone and the quarantine restrictions have been lifted.
They said that the jeepney and PUB drivers do not follow the official tariff and do not
give change or receipts. They also claimed that the drivers are rude and abusive
when confronted about the illegal fare collection.
The LTFRB-7 Regional Director, Col. Eduardo Montealto Jr., admitted that the fare
hike in Bohol is illegal and violates the LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2020-051,
which states that the minimum fare of jeepneys in Central Visayas is P9.
He said that his office has not received any formal complaints from the commuters
and urged them to report any violations to the LTFRB hotline or email.
However, some commuters said that they are afraid to file complaints for fear of
retaliation from the operators and drivers.
They also expressed their frustration over the lack of action from the Provincial
Government of Bohol and town officials who are supposed to protect their rights and
welfare.
Boholano commuters have been calling for a fair and transparent implementation of
the new tariff and a crackdown on the erring transport operators and drivers.