news/updates
LTFRB pushes alternative fuels for PUVs
By Perseus Echeminada
Philippine Star
April 24, 2008
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) proposed the use of alternative and renewable fuel to minimize the impact of the increasing price of oil in the world market that will require the adjustment of fares.
LTFRB Chairman Thompson Lantion said the use of alternative energy such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and the hybrid mixture of gasoline and electricity will help cushion the impact of the increasing prices of gasoline on commuters and motorists.
Lantion said the use of alternative and renewable energy will benefit at least seven million commuters nationwide who are dependent on public utility vehicles.
He said the expected increase in fares of commuter vehicles would be an additional burden to ordinary commuters and the government is finding ways to address the problem.
“We are facing rice shortage and any fare increase would add burden to the public,” Lantion told The STAR.
He said the LTFRB will conduct public hearings on the two fare hike petitions filed by the provincial bus operators and jeepney drivers and operators.
The bus operators are demanding an additional P1.50 in the minimum fare for the first two kilometers while the jeepney drivers are seeking a 50-centavo increase in the minimum fare.
Lantion said alternative fuels like LPG and CNG are now being used by several taxi and bus companies.
Hybrid vehicles using both gasoline and electricity alternately to run the engine is also being tested on public utility vehicles.
Aside from alternative energy the government is also helping the commuter vehicle operators cope with skyrocketing oil prices through subsidized diesel fuel.
“The diesel subsidy to the public transport sector is one of the measures to the help operators cope with the rising prices of oil,” Lantion said.
