The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the petition for fare increase for almost all of the public utility vehicles (PUVs) following the series of oil price hikes, the two recent increases were big-time ones that hit the motorists hard.

LTFRB Chairman Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza said the decision is aimed at striking a good balance between welfare of millions of commuters and the interest of those in the public transportation sector.

“This decision that covers all modes of land public transportation is proof of the national government’s genuine concern on the welfare of those in the transport sector too while protecting the interest of the general commuting public,” said Chairperson Mendoza. 

“And this is timely because the transport sector is currently facing a serious challenge on the prices of petroleum products as a result of the Middle East tensions,” he added.

The jeepneys 

For ordinary passenger jeepney, the increase was P1 for the first four-kilometers, or the minimum fare and 20 centavos for every succeeding kilometer—or from the existing P1.80 per succeeding kilometer charge to P2.

From the existing P13, LTFRB chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys would be P14, which  he said, reflects an 8 percent increase.

With the new fare increase, Mendoza said the 10-kilometer route from Cubao to Divisoria for instance will not be P25.40 from the current P23.80.

For the modern jeepneys, he said the approved increase is P2 which makes the minimum fare P17 from the current P15. 

The LTFRB also approved a 10-centavo increase in the succeeding kilometer, or from P2.20 to P2.30 per succeeding kilometer. 

It took time before the LTFRB finalized the decision for jeepney since being the most common mode of transportation, any increase will have a significant effects on consumer price index (CPI) which is the primary tool for measuring the country’s inflation. 

Taxis and TNVS

Mendoza said there is no decision yet for the regular taxi and the UV Express since the petitions for fare hike had just been filed, and therefore, still subject to deliberations.

For airport taxis, however, the LTFRB approved a P40 increase in. the flag-down rate, or first 500 meters, making the flag-down rate P115 from the current P75. 

While the flag-down rate has increased, the LTFRB noted that there were no changes in the succeeding 300 meter and two-minute waiting time charge.

Rode-hailing services 

For the Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), the LTFRB approved a P20 increase and P15 pick-up fare per kilometer.

The increase makes the base fare for TNVS sedan P65 from P45; P75 from P55 for AUVs; P55 from P35 for hatchback and P165 from P145 for premium TNVS.

The LTFRB, however, emphasized that there is no increase in the per kilometer and per minute travel time for TNVS.  

For a trip for instance from Gateway Mall in Cubao to SM Masinag, the fare for TNVS will now be P275 from P255, or an -8-percent increase.

The buses 

Mendoza also announced a P2 increase for the minimum fare of Metro Manila and city ordinary buses-or from P13 to P15 for the first five kilometers, and 024 centavos for every succeeding kilometer, or from P2.25 to P2.49.

On the other hand, the aircon buses for Metro Manila and city operations will have a P3 increase, or from P15 to P18 for the first five kilometer and 33 centavos increase for every succeeding kilometer, or from P2.65 per kilometer to P2.98. 

For ordinary buses with provincial operations, a P1 increase was approved for the first five kilometers but the increase in the succeeding kilometers varies depending on the types of passenger buses.

For ordinary buses, the additional charge is 30 centavos per succeeding kilometer or from P1.90 to P2.20); 35 centavos for airconditioned buses deluxe and super deluxe buses (from P2.10 to P2.45); and, 45 centavos for luxury buses, or from P2.90 to P3.35 per succeeding kilometer.

Fair fare hikes 

Overall, Mendoza said the fare hike adjustments reflect a 19 percent increase in fares across all the regions, 

Mendoza explained that the computation for the fare hike was thoroughly deliberated and was supported by data and analysis, including that of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).

In coming up with the decisions, he said they took note of the position papers of various stakeholders, the series of public consultations, and land public transportation cost analysis since the last fare hike for passenger buses since September 2022.

He particularly cited the increase in maintenance and other operational costs from 7.54% during the last bus fare hike in 2022 to 54.29% in 2024.

Other factors include the geopolitical tension that include the war in Ukraine and the recent Middle East conflict, as well as the wage increase for workers across the country since the last fare hike in 2022.

“These compelling circumstances prompted the Board to allow a reasonable rate of increase,” the decision read.

Conditions set 

The fare hikes will take effect on March 19 but a fare matrix must be secured first and be posted inside every unit. 

But the LTFRB cited conditions for the full implementation, including granting a 20% discount to senior citizens and PWDS, and for students—everyday during school days.

The provisional fare hike approval for provincial buses was approved despite the expected distribution of P5,000 fuel subsidy starting next week.

On top of fuel subsidy

Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said the national government has set aside P2.5  billion in fuel subsidy, the distribution was committed to start this week, beginning with tricycle drivers in Metro Manila.

The fuel subsidy will be P5,000 each operator and also expected to cover other modes of transportation like jeepneys, UV Express and taxis.

But Mendoza said the fare hikes is on top of the fuel subsidy, “Notwithstanding the fuel subsidy distribution, the Board is more than mindful of the extraordinary increases in fuel prices currently experienced by PUV operators.”