By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved on Friday, Sept. 16, the fare increase request of operators for jeepneys, buses, taxi, and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).
The LTFRB agreed to a P1.00 provisional increase for traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJ) and modern public utility jeepneys (MPUJ) for the first four kilometers, bringing the minimum fare for TPUJ to P12.00 and MPUJ to P14.00.
There will also be an additional fare of P0.30 per succeeding kilometer for TPUJ and P0.40 per for MPUJ, making the succeeding kilometer run fare for TPUJ adjusted to P1.80 from P1.50 and for MPUJ to P2.20 from P1.80.
Public utility buses (PUBs) will also have an additional fare per succeeding kilometer of P0.40 for ordinary buses, P0.45 for air-conditioned buses, and P0.35 for provincial PUBs.
The fare for succeeding kilometer run for ordinary PUBs will become P2.25 from P1.85, P2.65 from P2.20 for air-conditioned PUBs, and P1.90 from P1.55 for provincial buses.
Moreover, LTFRB also approved a P5.00 flag down rate hike for taxi and TNVS. The minimum fare for taxi and sedan-type TNVS will be P45.00, while AUV and SUV-type TNVS will adjust to P55.00 and hatchback-type TNVS to P35.00.
The fare on succeeding kilometers for taxi will remain at P13.50/km, P15.00/km for sedan-type TNVS, P18.00/km for AUV/SUV-type TNVS, and P13.00/km for hatchback-type TNVS.
The 20% discount for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students will still be effective.
The LTFRB recently acknowledged the “need for a fare increase” after a continuous increase of oil prices and had to consult the National Economic Development Authority and the Department of Energy.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB reminded drivers to follow the guidelines and policies of the agency and to continue to comply with public health safety protocols. –ag
