By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Local transport group Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators sa Negros (Stone) called on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region VI (LTFRB-6) to implement the P9 regular fare hike in Bacolod City.

In a radio interview over the weekend, Stone Secretary-General Jessie Ortega said they are still waiting for the matrix from the LTFRB central office, which will serve as the basis for the fare increase.

Ortega said they want the LTFRB to expedite the increase due to recent fuel hikes.

During a follow-up interview, LTFRB-6 Director Richard Osmeña assured Ortega they would implement the new fare increase once they have finished re-surveying routes in excess of five kilometers.

Last month, LTFRB-6 approved a P2.50 hike in regular fares for the Western Visayas, raising the standard fare in the region to P9.

Osmeña said the fare hikes will help public utility vehicle operators, who have experienced a number of oil price hikes, along with the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law./DGB, WDJ