DOTr Lifts Suspension on PUV Fare Hike, Implementation Imminent

MANILA, Philippines — The approved fare hike for public utility vehicles will finally be implemented after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday lifted its earlier suspension. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed to The STAR the issuance of a memorandum to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) lifting the suspension on fare adjustments. The DOTr directed the LTFRB to ensure that operators and drivers post the new fare matrices inside their vehicles before charging the adjusted fares. Under the fare hike approved in March, an increase of P1 for traditional jeepneys raises the minimum fare to P14. For modern jeepneys, a P2 increase brings the minimum fare to P17. For ordinary Metro Manila/ city buses, P2 increase, from P13 to P15; for air-conditioned Metro Manila/city buses, P3 increase, from P15 to P18; for ordinary provincial buses, P1 increase, from P11 to P12; and for air-conditioned provincial buses, P2.45 increase per succeeding kilometer. For airport taxis, a P40 increase in flag-down rate for the first 500 meters raises it to P115. Likewise, there will be a 20 percent increase in TNVS’ base fare, depending on vehicle type and a 15 percent hike in fares for P2P buses. This fare adjustment comes as operators cite rising costs of fuel and vehicle parts. However, the increase is expected to add further strain to the budgets of many Filipinos, particularly those with lower incomes. In the Philippines, public transportation fares are a significant component of household expenses, and their fluctuations have a substantial impact on the daily lives of citizens.