CL bus operators dispute reports on fare increase

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- Central Luzon bus operators Thursday reports they have increased their fares unilaterally.

The P1.30-per-km fare operators started to collect Wednesday was still 15 centavos lower than the mandated fare of P1.45 per km fare set by the Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board more than two years ago, said Rely Jalbuna, spokesman of the Central Luzon-based air-con bus operators.

"Central Luzon has the lowest fare in Luzon, even with the P1.30-perkilometer charge that took effect yesterday," Jalbuna said.

"We were forced by the global conditions. The price of crude in the global market has surged to more than $ 100 per barrel, yet our fare structure has remained low. It was applicable when oil prices ranged from $ 24 to $ 26 per barrel," he said.

Jalbuna said bus operators, who are not yet implementing the mandated fare of P1.45 per kilometer, have been advised by the leadership of the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines to collect the mandated fare.

This would enable them to adjust to the increase in oil prices and the surge in operating costs without seeking a fresh round of fare adjustments from the government, he said.

Jalbuna said the bus operators will not petition for a fare increase after the gradual adjustment to the LTFRB-mandated fares.