Take effect on Thursday: Fare hike approved

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved fare adjustments for public utility vehicles (PUVs) to balance the welfare of millions of commuters and support the public transportation sector amid rising fuel prices.

LTFRB said the implementation of fare increases will take effect on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

LTFRB Chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II, in a press conference yesterday, explained that the computation for the fare hike was carefully deliberated, relying on data and analysis, including studies by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).

“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.

FARE ADJUSTMENTS

For traditional jeepneys, the LTFRB approved a P1 increase for the first four kilometers or minimum fare from P13 to P14 and another 20 centavos increase for each succeeding kilometer, which is from P1.80 to P2.

      For modern jeepneys, the fare hike is P2, bringing the minimum fare from P15 to P17, with a 20 centavo increase per succeeding kilometer from P2.20 to P2.40.

  Airport taxis will see a P40 increase in the flag-down rate or first 500 meter from P75 to P115 while charges of P4.00 for the succeeding 300 meters and two-minute waiting time remain unchanged.

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

     This adjustment raises fares for TNVS sedans to P65 from P45; AUVs to P75 from P55; hatchbacks to P55 from P35; and premium TNVS vehicles to P165 from P145. The per-kilometer and per-minute travel time charges remain unchanged.

  Chairperson Mendoza also announced that air-conditioned city buses will see a P3 increase in the first five kilometers, from P15 to P18, with a 35-centavo increase per succeeding kilometer or from P2.10 to P2.45.

  For provincial buses, ordinary units will increase by P1 for the first five kilometers, with varying increases per succeeding kilometer: 30 centavos for ordinary buses, 35 centavos for deluxe and super deluxe air-conditioned buses, and 45 centavos for luxury buses.

    For Metro/City Buses, the increase would be P2 for the first five kilometers, which is from P13.00 to P15.00 and an increase of 24 centavos for the succeeding kilometer, which is from P2.25 to P2.49.

     For air-conditioned metro/city buses, a P3.00 fare increase for the first five kilometers, which is from P15 to P18, and an increase of 33 centavos from P2.65 to P2.98. “Overall, the fare hike adjustments reflect a 19 percent increase in fares across all the regions,” Mendoza said.

Rising operational costs

  The decision also considered the rising costs in maintenance and operations, which increased from 7.54% during the last bus fare hike in 2022 to 54.29% in 2024. Other factors included geopolitical tensions such as the Ukraine war and Middle East conflict, along with nationwide wage increases since 2022.

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

  Chairperson Mendoza noted that the delay in approving jeepney fare hikes stemmed from their significant effect on the consumer price index (CPI), whereas passenger buses have minimal impact, with a CPI share of only 0.58 percent.

  As for the buses, the new fare adjustment will take effect once bus operators obtain a fare matrix and post it in their respective units.

CONDITIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

  The LTFRB set conditions for the full implementation of the fare hike, including a 20% discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, as well as for students on school days.

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

    “Notwithstanding the fuel subsidy distribution, the Board is more than mindful of the extraordinary increases in fuel prices currently experienced by PUV operators,” the decision read.

  In a separate interview, LTFRB-7 financial analyst Ruperto Jingjing Zamora emphasized that the fare adjustments will not take effect immediately, as the agency has yet to issue a formal directive.

  “We are still waiting for the official order. As of now, there is no implementation yet,” he clarified. (CEBU NEWS)