Public transportation impedes students

Written by Allen C. Limos

Published May 24, 2022

Students worry as the minimum fares on public transportation are still high amidst talks on ‘Ligtas na Balik Eskwela.’

Now, some colleges and universities are preparing for all of their students in all programs to return. However, students are hesitant not only because of the COVID-19 parameters but also due to transportation costs.

After two years, the country is gradually easing its restrictions on COVID-19. Most industries are finally gearing up to go back to their physical setup, including schools. In areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2, college students in selected programs have started their face-to-face classes.

Joana Pagador is a third-year student in Pangasinan State University (PSU). In accordance with Office of the Curriculum and Instruction Unit’s Advisory No. 26s. 2022, Technoscope Publications, the official student publication of PSU, announced on Facebook that limited face-to-face classes will start on April 25.

Yet, Pagador worries over the costs of transportation. On a Facebook post, she said, “‘Saka lang ako magiging ready kapag mura na ang pamasahe.” The fare of one ride, back-and-forth, from her home to school alone will cost her ₱150. Because of this, she is still weighing her options as the face-to-face classes are voluntary.

As someone who relies on public transportation, I did a little experiment. I went to Urdaneta City, Pangasinan from my hometown of Pozorrubio, which is 2 towns away from each other and compared the prices of big bus companies to smaller companies and jeepneys. When I went to Urdaneta, I rode the jeepney and the fare cost ₱50. On pre-pandemic pricing, it usually just costs ₱20. On the way back, I rode a Solid North ordinary fare which initially cost ₱20 but because I had my student ID (identification card), it was capped to ₱18.

Both of them no longer implement the one seat apart rule imposed at the height of the pandemic but prices still vary. It is important to note, however, that I rode the ordinary fare of Solid North, which is limited only to those coming from the north to the south. In Pagador’s case, because she is from Manaoag, Pangasinan, the only available options are big buses with air conditioning, which is the most expensive during pre-pandemic, and jeepneys, which are still as mentioned earlier imposing the pandemic pricing for physical distancing purposes despite no physical distancing on seating arrangements as passengers now sit beside each other.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has released updated minimum fare rates for the easing of COVID-19 parameters in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3 where restrictions are more flexible. The updated minimum fare rate is now equal to its pre-pandemic pricing.

However, minibuses and jeepneys—which are usually the cheaper options for transportation—are still implementing the COVID-19 price hike for health protocols despite having no protocols placed. Initially, jeepneys were asked to place plastics as barricades to avoid risks of close contact. For buses, one seat apart per passenger was implemented meaning passengers had to pay for the price of two seats. Now that these protocols are lifted by LTFRB, costs should also go back to normal. However, it seems like LTFRB has not checked up on these companies on their pricing.

In recent events, due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, oil prices drastically increased. Though, on March 19, LTFRB denied that a ₱1 fare hike for both Metro Manila and provincial vehicles will be implemented as an effect of the warfare. However, even before the crisis, they still have not reduced their minimum fare rates.

Pricing is now equal for big and small bus companies, but this is still not accessible to the average student who uses public transportation to go to school. Pagador says that her daily allowance is only ₱150, which means that if she decides to participate in the face-to-face classes, her allowance will only cover her transportation fare, and she will not have enough money to buy food for lunch and snacks.

This situation is a lose-lose situation for both students and drivers regardless of what will be done to resolve the issues. If prices were to drop, the drivers will perish as oil prices are still high which means that they will have little to no income as they are still recovering from the adverse effects of the pandemic. Amongst many, the public transportation sector was one of the industries that suffered the most because of the pandemic. Additionally, if prices remain, the students and their families will suffer from their daily expenses. It is especially harder for those required to go back to the face-to-face setting for their thesis or on-the-job training as they have no other option.

This situation shows how unplanned and unprepared the authorities are. They have not prepared enough to implement the necessary policies—such as providing aid for drivers so that they no longer have to increase the prices without LTFRB knowing or perhaps retrofitting the education system entirely to accommodate students who do not wish to return to the physical setting. It is important that all government bodies are well-equipped for the resumption of life as we face the tail-end of the pandemic to ensure that as we face the new normal, the “normality” in normal conditions is also felt.