Transport operators and drivers need to have the new fare matrix approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board that takes effect today (Monday) before they can start charging commuters higher fares.
Transportation Sec. Jaime Bautista said public utility vehicles must first post the new fare matrix inside their vehicle before implementing the fare hike.
“Passengers must see the new matrix,” Bautista said.
LTFRB chairperson Cheloy Garafil said PUVs with no new fare matrix must collect only the old fare rates.
Bautista also appealed for understanding among commuters, noting that the fare hike is long overdue.
“Our drivers earn so little because of the increase in the prices of gasoline and maintenance. Because of inflation, we also have to adjust the fare rates,” he said.
Starting today, traditional and modern jeepneys will implement a P1 increase in their minimum fare at P12 and P14, respectively.
For every succeeding kilometer, an additional P1.80 will be charged for traditional jeepneys and P2.20 for modern jeepneys.
Buses, on the other hand, will increase their minimum fare by P2 to put it at P13, with a P2.25 increment for every succeeding kilometer.
The fare for air-conditioned buses, on the other hand, will begin at P15 and will have a P2.65 increase for every succeeding kilometer.
The LTFRB also raised the flag-down rates of taxis and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) by P5, with no additional fees for succeeding kilometers.
Bautista said provincial bus groups are also set to petition for a fare hike.
The DOTr is also the upward fare request of LRT-1 and other train lines, he said.
“Under the contract, they can increase every two years. They held a meeting last week where they said they will request since they have not made any fare adjustment since 2016, 2018 and 2020,” he said.
“Other trains – MRT-3 and LRT-2 – are also requesting a fare adjustment so we will study these requests,” Bautista added.