Jeepney fare hike to take effect on March 19
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced that an increase in minimum fares for traditional and modern jeepneys will begin on March 19.
Traditional jeepneys will now have P1 added to the base fare—from P13 for the first four kilometers, the fare will be P14 starting Thursday. Modern jeepneys, meanwhile, will receive a P2 hike for the first four kilometers, raising the base fare from P16 to P18.
Fare hikes for other public modes of transportation are coming as well, according to the secretary.
"Inaprubahan na po kagabi ang pagtaas ng pamasahe pagdating sa ating mga provincial buses, metro buses, P2P, kasama rin ang mga jeepney natin tsaka airport taxi," Lopez said during the distribution of fuel subsidy for tricycle drivers in San Juan City.
With the jeepney fare increase, Lopez shared as an example a jeepney ride from Cubao to Divisoria, which is approximately a 10-kilometer stretch, would, by Thursday, cost around P25, up from P23.
Implementation will take a few days as, according to Lopez, the fare increase still has to undergo publication.
The fare hikes are coming amid rising fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. Within days of being attacked by the US and Israel, Iran blocked passage of oil tankers through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, severely crippling much of the world's fuel supply.
To mitigate rising prices, the House of Representatives, on Monday, March 16, approved a bill granting President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. the authority to temporarily suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel during national emergencies.
