Commuters paid more on Monday, Sept. 28, as the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys rose from P13 to P14, while modern jeepney fares increased from P15 to P17.
The fare hikes took effect on the same morning that transport group Manibela began a three-day strike in Metro Manila against rising fuel prices. Another group, PISTON, is set to hold its strike on Sept. 29–30.
The New Fares
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) lifted its suspension of fare increases that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had approved, Philstar and Rappler reported.
The hikes were first set for March, but President Marcos deferred them amid the Middle East conflict and oil price concerns, according to GMA News.
Here are the new rates, based on Philstar, Rappler and GMA News reports:
Traditional jeepneys
- P14 for the first 4 km, from P13
- P2 per succeeding km, from P1.80
Modern jeepneys
- P17 for the first 4 km, from P15
- P2.40 per succeeding km, from P2.20
Metro Manila/city buses
- P15 for the first 5 km on ordinary buses, plus P2.49 per succeeding km
- P18 on air-conditioned buses, plus P2.98 per succeeding km
Provincial buses
- P12 for the first 5 km on ordinary buses
- Succeeding-kilometer rates range from P2.20 for ordinary buses to P3.35 for luxury buses, according to Rappler
Airport taxis
- P115 flag-down rate for the first 500 meters, from P75
- No change to succeeding charges
Taxis (provisional)
- P65 flag-down for regular taxis
- P80 for Premium Silver
- P95 for Premium Gold, according to Rappler
- GMA News reported the range at P65 to P90
- No change in per-kilometer rates
UV Express (provisional)
- P2.60 per km for traditional vehicles
- P3 per km for modern vehicles, according to Rappler
TNVS
- Base fares increased by P20 across all vehicle types
- Sedan fares, for example, rose from P45 to P65, according to Rappler
Point-to-point buses
- Fares increased by 15% from existing route fares
Operators must display the updated fare matrix inside their vehicles before collecting the new fares, Philstar reported.
Mandatory discounts for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities remain in effect, according to GMA News.
At the Makati City Loop Terminal, one passenger told GMA News’ Unang Balita that the increase would be difficult for workers like him who are already dealing with higher living costs.
Manibela Hits the Road
Manibela members, joined by some TNVS and UV Express drivers, motorcycle-taxi riders and truckers, gathered at University Avenue in Quezon City around 6 a.m. and held a caravan to Philcoa, GMA News and Inquirer reported.
Manibela chair Mar Valbuena said 20,000 to 25,000 jeepney drivers on Metro Manila routes were expected to join, GMA News reported.
Inquirer quoted him as saying more than 20,000 members would join the strike, which runs until Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Valbuena earlier called the P1 increase “inadequate” given what he described as a net P50-per-liter rise in diesel prices.
“Our protest will still push through because our request is for a P2 fare increase,” he said, according to Inquirer.
“With every hike in diesel prices, operating costs rise while the take-home pay for families shrinks,” Manibela said in a statement.
The groups are demanding lower fuel prices, the removal of excise and value-added taxes on fuel, and the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, according to Inquirer and GMA News.
Manibela also criticized the LTFRB’s warning that drivers joining strikes could face sanctions, GMA News reported.
PISTON Next, Classes Suspended
PISTON’s nationwide strike on Sept. 29–30 is expected to draw 70,000 to 100,000 members, Inquirer reported.
Face-to-face classes in some areas are suspended on Tuesday, Sept. 29, because of the strikes, according to GMA News.
Libreng Sakay
Several NCR local governments deployed free rides, GMA News reported.
Manila stationed vehicles at the Kartilya ng Katipunan command post by 6 a.m., Malabon started at 5 a.m., and Quezon City kept its QCity Bus service running.
The DOTr is running free rides from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., in both directions, on these routes:
- Quiapo–Fairview
- Quiapo–Welcome Rotonda
- Nagtahan–Cubao
- Cubao–Fairview
- Galleria–Taytay
Why It Matters
Fuel prices keep squeezing both sides of the fare box.
Oil companies had raised diesel by P8.82 per liter to an average of P103, Inquirer reported.
Drivers say even the new fares do not cover their costs, while commuters now pay more at the same time the strikes take jeepneys off the road.
