Bus operators filed a petition on Tuesday for fare increases and a provisional hike pending resolution of their petition.

The seven-page joint petition was filed by the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association, the Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nagagasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, and the Samahang Bus Transport Operators ng Pilipinas.

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In the petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the groups cited higher oil prices from the new tax reform program, higher cost of spare parts, and an increase in toll fees among the reasons for the request for fare increase.

“That foregoing increases in operational costs, attendant to the business of public mass transportation have effectively negated the previous fare adjustments granted and have rendered subject business non-viable, thus threatening the very survival of petitioners-members,” the petition said.

Pending the resolution of the petition for a fare increase, the group sought a provisional increase.

From P10 minimum fare for non-airconditioned buses, the petitioners are seeking a rate of P13.30 minimum fare and P2.45 for every succeeding kilometer.

For air-conditioned buses, city and provincial bus operators are seeking an adjustment from P12 to P15.95 minimum for the fare increase, and P2.95 for every succeeding kilometer.

Provincial bus drivers are also asking an increase of P11.95 for minimum fare from the current P9 for ordinary buses. While air-conditioned bus drivers are asking for P2.15 per kilometer increase from the current P1.60.

“If only to pre-empt from an industry-wide collapse of operations, it is imperative that, the pending resolution of the main petition, a provisional increase of fare is necessary and urgent as provisional relief hereinafter prayed for,” the petition said. /cbb

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