MANILA — Citing rising fuel costs linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has authorized fare adjustments across most forms of public land transportation.
The new rates, which will take effect on March 19, will apply to nearly all public utility vehicles (PUVs), except for regular taxis and motorcycle taxis.
LTFRB chairman Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the agency weighed the needs of both commuters and transport operators before approving the adjustments.
“This decision covers all modes of land public transportation. It is proof of the national government’s genuine concern for the welfare of those in the transport sector while protecting the interest of the general commuting public,” Mendoza said.
The fare adjustment is necessary as operators continue to deal with increasing fuel prices, particularly diesel, as well as other rising operational expenses.
“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 increase will initially be implemented as a provisional adjustment. Operators must secure an official fare matrix before June for the rates to become permanent.
Under the approved adjustments, traditional jeepneys will add P1 to the base fare for the first four kilometers, raising the minimum to P14 from P13, while the per-kilometer charge will increase to P2 from P1.80.
Modern jeepneys or minibuses will see a P2 increase in the minimum fare, bringing it to P17 from P15, with the per-kilometer rate rising to P2.40 from P2.20.
City and metropolitan buses will also implement increases. Ordinary buses will raise the base fare to P15 from P13 for the first five kilometers, while air-conditioned buses will charge a base fare of P18 from the previous P15, with higher per-kilometer rates as well.
Provincial buses will adopt similar adjustments depending on service type, including ordinary, air-conditioned, deluxe, super deluxe, and luxury categories, with increases ranging from additional centavos per kilometer to higher minimum fares.
Airport taxis will also raise their flag-down rate to P115 from P75, while transport network vehicle services (TNVS) will add P20 to their base fares across sedan, AUV/SUV, and premium categories.
Meanwhile, point-to-point (P2P) bus services will implement a 15 percent increase based on existing route fares.
LTFRB said the decision was based on consultations with industry stakeholders, cost analyses, and economic data, including inputs from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.
Among the factors considered were the steep rise in maintenance and operating expenses, which the agency said increased from 7.54 percent during the last bus fare adjustment in 2022 to 54.29 percent in 2024.
Global geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine and the current conflict in the Middle East, were also cited as contributing factors, along with wage increases granted to workers nationwide since the previous fare review./PN
