If you’ve been taking jeepneys around the metro lately, you might want to brace yourself: three major transport groups have officially asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to make the ₱1 provisional fare hike granted in October 2023 permanent — and to add another ₱2 on top of it.
That means the minimum jeepney fare could rise from ₱13 to ₱15 if the request is approved.
Photo: Pixabay
According to local news reports, the petition, filed by the Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide Inc. (Pasang Masda), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers’ Associations of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, cites one main reason: fuel prices are hitting drivers hard.
Diesel, which fuels most jeepneys, recently jumped from ₱54 to ₱60 per liter. According to ALTODAP president Boy Vargas, this spike is eating into drivers’ daily earnings, with losses estimated between ₱200 and ₱300 per day. The groups believe the fare adjustment could help offset those losses and keep jeepney operations sustainable.
The LTFRB confirmed that it is still reviewing the petition, which also covers multiple fare hike requests for PUJs filed between August 2023 and March this year. These proposals range from base fare adjustments to changes in the rate per succeeding kilometer.
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For now, commuters and drivers alike are in wait-and-see mode. If approved, the ₱3 increase will affect millions of daily passengers, especially in a city where every peso counts for both sides of the fare box.
This is also not the first time transport groups have sought provisional increases, especially during periods of sharp fuel price hikes.
The LTFRB typically weighs such requests against inflation rates, fuel subsidies, and the economic impact on commuters.
In the meantime, it’s worth remembering that jeepneys remain the backbone of Metro Manila’s transport system — colorful, chaotic, and undeniably essential.
What’s your take on the proposed fare hike? Let us know in the comments.
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