LTFRB to set standard fee matrix for school buses

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday, May 30, said they will consult groups to come up with a standard fee matrix for school transport services.

Aside from the school transport service providers, LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez also invited on June 13 and 14 parents-teachers associations and school administrators to discuss components of standard fees should parents avail of transport services.

“Under the government’s open transparency and ‘Daang Matuwid’ principle, we want to hear the views of operators and other stakeholders, in this case the parents, in order to come up with the most feasible and best resolution to determine the rates,” Ginez said.

There is no standard fee matrix specified under the existing LTFRB Memorandum Circular (MC) on the guidelines regarding school transport services. But the agency has regulatory power to determine and prescribe the fee rates of the operators.

It can also grant Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) to transport service providers who pass routine inspections.

The agency requires that before all school bus operators are given CPCs to operate, they should comply with required standards and specifications.

This year’s routine inspections already began earlier this week in Makati and Pasig. Ginez said the inspections are done to ensure that school transport services are roadworthy.

He added that they are more concerned about the safety and security of the students who ride these vehicles.

“We are satisfied with what we have seen during the routine inspection, we expect them [school bus operators] to ensure the safety and convenience of the students, otherwise we can revoke their licenses if found violating required specifications,” Ginez added. – Rappler.com