Capitol Signs MOA with Bus Operators to Reduce Fares

If approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Central Office, commuters on will enjoy fare reduction until Christmas.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III on Monday signed the Memorandum of Agreement with the Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA), and Cebu North Mini-Bus Operators Association (CNMBOA) to reduce fares.

The MOA intends to reduce bus fares in the province: for the first five kilometers, the fare will be dropped to P5 from the current P6 and P1 for the succeeding kilometer from the present P1.20.

LTFRB 7 Acting Director Rey Elnar clarified that the MOA is subject to LTFRB central office’s approval for its implementation. He said the MOA cannot supersede the LTFRB board decision as it only aims to avoid charging the drivers from ‘undercharging’ once they enforce the fare reduction which is only applicable in Cebu Province.

However, as of Monday afternoon, CPBOA president Richard Corominas said they will not follow the fare reduction in the MOA as they already followed the fare rate previously agreed during the time of former Governor Gwen Garcia. Corominas said their fare rates are already low and pressing it lower would be disadvantageous to the drivers.