Lawyer Grace Adduccol of the Metro Bus Operators Club said their group has yet to decide whether or not to petition for a fare increase for metro buses, despite claiming profit loses due to rising oil prices and the effect of number-coding scheme to their operations.

Fare rates for air-conditioned metro buses are still at P11 for the first five kilometers and P2.20 per succeeding kilometer, while the ordinary ones are pegged at P9 for the first five kilometers and P1.85 for every additional kilometer covered.

“So far, we are still studying our options to mitigate losses on our operations. Petitioning for a fare hike is among them but it is far from our list of priorities,” Adduccol said.

The South Luzon Bus Operators Association (SOLUBOA), a group of provincial bus lines using the South Luzon Expressway, have earlier petitioned for a 50-centavo fare increase before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) after the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) granted permission from the tollway operator to implement a 300 percent toll hike. Current fare rate for ordinary provincial buses is at P1.30 per kilometer while P1.60 per kilometer is charged for air-conditioned buses.

Similarly, jeepney operator association Pasang Masda also urged the LTFRB to allow them to revert to the previous minimum fare rate of P7.50 while another group wants to increase the present rate of P7 to P8 due to rising prices of diesel.

While the fare hike petitions for provincial buses and jeepneys are still pending with the LTFRB, the fare hike for LRT (lines 1 and 2) and MRT 3 was provisionally approved by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) earlier this week.

Starting March 1, LRT and MRT riders will be charged P11-boarding fee plus P1 per kilometer of distance covered. Following the new rates, commuters will be charged P30 from the present rate of P20 for the entire length of LRT 1 from Baclaran Station in Pasay to Roosevelt Station in Quezon City; P28 from the present rate of P15 from EDSA-Taft Station in Pasay to North Avenue in Quezon City, and P24 from the present rate of P15 from Recto Station in Manila to Santolan Station in Pasig City.

Although the provisional fare increase is still subject to amendments from public consultations, DoTC officials said the implementation of LRT-MRT fare hike is inevitable within the first quarter of the year to lessen the multibillion subsidies that the government spends to operate and maintain the rail facilities.

But the PNR, which is also state-owned and -operated, will not be seeking a fare increase similar to what will be implemented at the LRT and MRT.

“This is because the PNR commuter line from Tutuban in Manila to Alabang in Muntinlupa City generates its own income to sustain its operation and maintenance. We don’t rely heavily on government subsidies as much as the LRT and MRT do,” said PNR General Manager Jun Ragrario.

Ragrario even disclosed that with the present state of operating the PNR, a fare increase in their facility is unlikely within the year.

Currently, PNR riders are charged P20 for the entire 29-kilometer length from Tutuban to Alabang. Minimum fare rate is pegged at P10.

Kris bayos, Manila Bulletin