DOTr approves PUV fare hikes effective Sept. 28

The Department of Transportation has lifted the suspension on the fare hike for public utility vehicles, allowing the approved fare increase to take effect on Monday, Sept. 28.

According to a report by The Philippine STAR, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed that the department issued a memorandum to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, effectively lifting the suspension on fare adjustments.

The suspension was lifted “in response to the continued rise in fuel prices and its impact on the transportation sector.”

The fare increase approved in March will raise the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys to P14, with a P2 increase per succeeding kilometer, while modern jeepney fares will rise by P2 to P17, with a P2.40 increase per succeeding kilometer.

For ordinary Metro Manila and city buses, fares will increase from P13 to P15, while air-conditioned buses will charge P18 instead of P15. Ordinary provincial bus fares will rise from P11 to P12, while air-conditioned provincial buses will have an additional P2.45 per succeeding kilometer.

Airport taxi fares will also increase, with the flag-down rate for the first 500 meters rising from P40 to P115.

Meanwhile, TNVS fares will go up by 20 percent, depending on the vehicle type, while P2P bus fares will increase by 15 percent.

Before implementing the new rates, the LTFRB has been instructed by the DOTr to make sure that operators and drivers display the updated fare matrices inside their vehicles. You may download the official fare matrix here.

The move came after bus companies appealed for the suspension of fare adjustments to be lifted and ahead of a nationwide transport strike. Transport group Piston earlier announced it would stage the strike on Sept. 29 and 30 amid surging fuel prices.