CEBU, Philippines – Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is set to meet bus operators in the province Friday to discuss the fare hike for provincial buses as announced by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

Garcia said this “might be the right time for the riding public to accept such an increase in fares, which has been put on hold since the LTFRB 7 approved the hike matrix for provincial buses in September 2008.”

The supposed bus fare increase was put on hold after the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA) heeded the call of Garcia in 2008 to suspend its implementation.

Friday's meeting, Garcia said, is aimed at looking for other options that will be beneficial to both the riding public and the bus operators.

LTFRB 7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said earlier bus operators who have already secured the fare matrix in 2008 can start collecting the new fare rates immediately, without any need to file another petition for a fare hike.