CEBU CITY – Cebu’s largest transport group, the City Transport Cooperative (Citrasco), will file a petition for a fare increase, citing the recent upward movement in the prices of fuel.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 Director Romulo Bernardez said Citrasco leaders have approached him but he urged the group to defer the petition for the moment due to the opening of classes.

"Citrasco has asked me if puwede na sila mag petition but I urged them not to disturb the peace during the opening of classes," Bernardez told the Manila Bulletin.

If the series of fuel price increase will not stop, Bernardez said the transport groups might be forced to file the petition soon.

The LTFRB in Manila started hearing on Thursday the petition to hike the minimum fare of jeepneys filed by transport group Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) for the reinstatement of the P7.50 minimum fare after it was slashed to P7 last February when diesel prices dropped to P23 per litter.

The clamor to hike public utility fares comes on the heels of a survey showing that some Filipinos are hard up in paying for transportation.