Bus Operators Urge Gov't to Lift Fare Hike Freeze Amid Soaring Fuel Prices

MANILA, Philippines – Bus operators are calling on the government to immediately lift the suspension of fare increases approved by regulators in March, as fuel prices continue to rise. “We ask for a fare that will keep public transport moving. An urgent appeal from the provincial and bus industry. We do not ask for ayuda,” bus operators said in a statement on Tuesday, September 22. “We do not ask for charity. We ask for urgent action. We ask for a fair and sustainable fare. Act now — before buses can no longer leave their terminals,” they added. They said, “provincial and city bus industries are bleeding.” Bus operators clarified that their statement is not a threat to stop operations but “a notice that operations may soon be impossible.” The statement was shared by Victory Liner, Genesis Transport Services Inc., and Baliwag Transit in their respective Facebook pages. It was signed by the Provincial Bus Operators Assocation of the Philippines, Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa sa Panlalawigan Bus ng Pilipinas, South Luzon Bus Operators Association, and Mega Manila Consortium. Fares in different modes of transportation were supposed to increase on March 19, but a day before this, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decided to suspend its implementation, citing the impact of the Middle East crisis. Since then, the Marcos government has rolled out cash assistance and subsidized fuel for public utility drivers, as well as a service contracting program to cushion the impact of higher fuel prices Congress also granted Marcos the power to suspend or reduce the excise tax on fuel. The administration has since suspended excise taxes on LPG and kerosene, but not diesel, which is widely used by buses and other road-based public transport. – Rappler.com