LTFRB OKs P1 bus fare hike in Metro Manila, adjustments for provincial operators

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced Thursday it has approved a provisional P1 increase in public utility bus fares in Metro Manila and provisional fare adjustments for provincial bus operations.

This was confirmed by LTFRB Martin Delgra III in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

“Ngayong umaga na-i-release ‘yung order granting provisional increase of P1 for the first 5 kilometers, tapos 15 centavos for every succeeding kilometer after the first 5 kilometers,” Delgra said.

BREAKING: Hirit na ?1 dagdag-pasahe sa mga PAMPASAHERONG BUS, inaprubahan ng LTFRB; magiging epektibo 15 araw matapos ilathala sa pahayagan ang anunsyo. — Delgra pic.twitter.com/zFk1d2GWgh

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) October 18, 2018

A copy of the LTFRB decision released to the media showed that public utility bus services for both Metro Manila and provincial operations are provisionally authorized to increase in the following rates:

Metro Manila Bus Operation

• Ordinary bus: Provisional fare rates of P11 from the curent P10 for the first five kilometers. For every succeeding kilometer after the first five kilometers the rate remained at P1.85.
• Air-conditioned bus: Provisional fare rates of P13 from the current P12 for the first five kilometers. The rate for every succeeding kilometer after the first five kiolmeters is still at P2.20.

Provincial Bus Operation

• Ordinary bus: Fare rates for the first five kilometers stayed at P9, while for every succeeding kilometer the rate was increased to P1.55 from the current P1.40.
• Regular air-conditioned bus: Minimum fare increased to a provisional rate of P1.75 per kilometer from P1.60.
• De Luxe aircon bus: Minimum fare increased to P1.85 per kilomter from P1.70.
• Super de luxe aircon bus: Minimum fare increased to P1.90 per kilometer from P1.80.
• Luxury aircon bus: Minimum fare increased to P2.25 per kilometer from P2.40.

“All PUB operators shall post a fare matrix duly issued by the Board inside their public utility bus that would be continuously seen seen by the riding public. Otherwise, PUB operators shall not be allowed to collect/charge the fare adjustment as provided herein,” the LTFRB decision read.

“All PUB operators cannot charge/impose the approved fare adjustment, unless and until increase of fare rate and fare matrix fees are properly paid, and issued,” it added.

The LTFRB also officially released the decision increasing the minimum jeepney fare to P10.

The LTFRB chair said the decisions will take effect 15 days after it was published in a newspaper.

“We will have it published, hopefully if will be published tomorrow,” Delgra said.

Transport groups have been clamoring for a fare increase on grounds of soaring fuel prices in light of the tax reform law’s impact on petroleum prices.

“Ang halaga lamang po ng aming pinagbatayan no’n ay P35 per liter pero, ngayon po, umaabot na po tayo ng halos P47 per liter,” Efren de Luna, president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), said in an interview on Balitanghali last September 25. —Ted Cordero/RSJ/VDS, GMA News