ILOILO City — Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Western Visayas are barred from implementing newly approved fare increases unless they first secure and display an official fare matrix, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said, warning that unauthorized collections will not be tolerated.
The directive comes despite the LTFRB Central Office’s approval of fare hikes nationwide due to rising fuel prices triggered by the Middle East crisis, with implementation set on March 19.
LTFRB Region 6 chief transportation development officer Atty. Ma. Joscet Abellar stressed that compliance with the fare matrix requirement is mandatory before any increase can be collected.
“Basta gani may changes sa aton nga plete, kinahanglan may ara gid sila bag-o nga fare guide. Kun wala sila magkuha diri sa aton, indi puede sila nga magsukot sang bag-o nga pletehan,” Abellar said in an interview.
Abellar clarified that even with the Central Office’s announcement, drivers must secure a new fare matrix from LTFRB-6, as each matrix carries a specific plate number to ensure authenticity and proper issuance.
The regional office is targeting to begin releasing the updated fare matrices on Thursday, March 19, following the Liberation of Panay holiday on March 18.
“Probably sa Thursday na kita maka-issue and we are still waiting for the official transmittal sang Central Office naton sang bag-o nga fare guide,” Abellar added.
The fare matrix, which costs between P550 and P570, must be prominently displayed inside PUV units. Drivers who fail to display the updated matrix are prohibited from charging higher fares and may only collect the existing rates.
Passengers who encounter drivers imposing unauthorized fare increases may file complaints with LTFRB-6 through its office, hotline numbers, or official Facebook page.
Under the approved adjustments, traditional jeepneys will implement a P1 increase in base fare for the first four kilometers, raising the minimum to P14 from P13, with an additional 20 centavos per succeeding kilometer.
Modern jeepneys will see a P2 increase in minimum fare to P17 from P15, also with a 20-centavo increment per succeeding kilometer.
Similar fare hikes have been approved for buses, transport network vehicle services (TNVS), point-to-point (P2P) services, and airport taxis, with increases ranging from P1 to as much as P40 depending on the mode of transport.
Despite the adjustments, LTFRB reminded operators and drivers to continue granting mandatory discounts to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students.
LTFRB chairman Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II described the fare increase as a “balancing act” aimed at sustaining PUV operations amid surging fuel costs, while ensuring that commuters are not unduly burdened.
Motorcycle taxis and regular taxis have also filed separate petitions for fare adjustments, which are currently under review.
Approved rates adjustments
* Tradition PUJ – P1 increase on base fare for the first four kilometers, bringing the minimum to P14 from P13, plus 20 centavos hike per succeeding kilometer to a rate of P2 from P1.80 per kilometer charge
* Modern PUJ – P2 hike on minimum base fare to P17 from P15, plus 20 centavos increase for succeeding kilometers to a rate of P2.40 from P2.20 per kilometer travel charge
* Metro/City bus (ordinary) – P2 hike for first five kilometers to base fare of P15 from P13; plus 24 centavos increase in per succeeding kilometer charge to P2.49 from P2.25
* Metro/City bus (aircon) – P3 increase on base fare to P18 from P15; plus 33 centavos hike in per succeeding kilometer charge to P2.98 from P2.65
* Provincial bus (ordinary) – P1 hike on minimum fare to P12 from P11; plus 30 centavos increase in succeeding per kilometer charge to P2.20 from P1.90
* Provincial bus (aircon) – 35 centavos increase in succeeding per kilometer charge to P2.45 from P2.10
* Provincial bus (deluxe) – 35 centavos hike in per kilometer charge to P2.60 from P2.25
* Provincial bus (super deluxe) – 35 centavos increase in per kilometer charge to P2.70 from P2.35
* Provincial bus (luxury) – 45 increase centavos per kilometer charge to P3.35 from P2.90
* Airport taxi – P40 increase on flagdown rate to P115 from P75
* TNVS – (Sedan) – P20 hike on base fare to P65 from P45
* TNVS (AUV/SUV) – P20 increase on base fare to P55 from P35
* TNVS (Premium) – P20 increase on base fare to P165 from P145
* P2P – 15% increase based on existing fare on the existing fare on the route
Mendoza said motorcycle taxis and regular taxis have filed their respective petitions for a fare hike as well./PN
