The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 10 based in Cagayan de Oro City has imposed effective Monday a previously implemented tariff to end the “fare wars” among three bus companies in Mindanao.
Aminoden Guro, LTFRB – 10 regional director, said that three big bus companies in Northern Mindanao – Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. , Super 5, and Pabama – had agreed to adopt the original LTFRB fare rates that were earlier approved.
Guro said that the LTFRB called the bus operators to a conference last week after receiving complaints by other bus operators that some bus companies had lowered the fare by as low as PhP 90 in the guise of a “special promo” rate.
He said that while the practice has benefited the commuting public, it actually puts the smaller bus operators at a disadvantage since they cannot afford to keep up with the fare drop.
Guro said that the buses ply the Malaybalay City, Valencia City, and Maramag routes and the bus operators agreed to prevent any of the bus company from lowering the regular fares.
Under the LTFRB – imposed tariff, the regular fare for the Cagayan De Oro – Malaybalay and vice versa route would be PhP 150, while the special privilege rate for students and senior citizens would be PhP 120; Cagayan De Oro – Valencia is at PhP 200, for students and senior citizens PhP 160; and Cagayan De Oro-Maramag, PhP 240 while the special privilege would be PhP 190 for students and senior citizens.
He said that the LTFRB was optimistic that the bus operators would comply with the original tariff otherwise a penalty would be imposed to those who violate the LTFRB fare rates.
Guro said that a penalty for the first offense would be a fine of PHP 5,000; second offense, PhP 10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days; third and succeeding offense, PHP 15,000 and cancellation of the franchise. (PNA)
