The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued show cause orders against eight bus companies accused of increasing fares without government approval.
LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said the operators could face the suspension or cancellation of their Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC).
“We understand the challenges that bus companies and other operators of public utility vehicles are facing now but these challenges must never be used as a reason or as an excuse to violate existing regulations at the expense of commuters,” Mendoza said.
Earlier Monday, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange reported the eight bus operators to the LTFRB for allegedly imposing fare increases without authorization.
Under the show cause order, the operators have been given 10 days to explain why their CPCs should not be suspended or revoked for collecting additional fares without LTFRB approval.
The LTFRB also ordered the bus firms to immediately stop overcharging passengers.
Owners and representatives of the companies have been summoned to attend a hearing before the LTFRB on April 3.
The agency warned that failure to submit an explanation or appear at the hearing would be treated as a waiver of the operators’ right to be heard and could result in a P5,000 fine.
Earlier this month, the LTFRB approved fare adjustments for public utility vehicles, including passenger buses. However, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later suspended the implementation of the increase, saying commuters should not face additional burdens amid rising oil prices.
“The instruction of President Marcos and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez is clear and simple. There must be no fare hike. And we will not allow defiance of this instruction,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza also reiterated his warning to public utility vehicle operators against overcharging, saying the LTFRB has deployed “mystery riders” to monitor and catch violators.
He urged commuters to report any unauthorized fare increase or overcharging to the LTFRB.
