The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced fare increases for almost all modes of public transportation, effective Thursday, March 19.

LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza made the announcement during a press briefing on Tuesday, March 17, where he said increasing the fare was “one of the hardest decisions of the board” because of the “erratic” surge in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.

In adjusting the fares, Mendoza said the agency considered rising fuel prices, the increase in cost of spare parts and maintenance of vehicles, the types of transport service, and the nationwide average minimum wage increase of 19% or P76 from 2022 to 2025.

He added that the new fare matrix was computed based on fuel prices ranging from P75 to P80 per liter.

The fare increases are provisional and will become permanent by June once the new fare matrices are issued.

Should the conflict in the Middle East end and fuel prices substantially go down, Mendoza said the LTFRB could implement a provisional fare reduction..

Public utility jeepneys

For traditional jeepneys, the minimum fare increased by P1, or 8%, bringing it to P14 from P13. The rate for each succeeding kilometer rose to P2 from P1.80.

Modern jeepney fares increased by P2, or 13%, raising the minimum fare to P17 from P15. The rate per succeeding kilometer also went up to P2.40 from P2.20.

Metro or city buses

For ordinary buses, the minimum fare increased by P2, or 15%, from P13 to P15. The per-kilometer rate rose to P2.49 from P2.25.

Air-conditioned buses saw a P3-increase, or 20%, bringing the minimum fare to P18 from P15. The rate per succeeding kilometer increased to P2.98 from P2.65.

Ride-hailing cars

The base fare for ride-hailing cars or transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) increased by P20 across all vehicle types. Here’s a comparison of the old and new base fare:

The per-kilometer rate remains at P15, with no additional charge for fractional distances. There is also no increase in per-minute travel time charges.

For example, a trip from Gateway Mall II to SM Masinag will cost around P275 under the new fare matrix.

Fare adjustments for motorcycle taxis are still under review, pending a petition filed by riders last week or second week of March.

Point-to-point (P2P) buses

P2P bus fares increased by 15% based on existing route rates.

To illustrate, the fare for Ortigas to Makati (8-km route) used to be P60, but given the adjustments, it will become P69.

The longest P2P route — NAIA to Clark (113 km route) — will soon cost P460 from P400.

Airport taxi

Airport taxi fares increased by P40, or 53%, for the first 500 meters, bringing the flag-down rate to P115 from P75.

Rates for succeeding distance (per 300 meters) and waiting time (per two minutes) remain unchanged.

Provincial buses

Earlier, the LTFRB approved fare increases for provincial buses, which took effect on Saturday, March 14. Here’s how the new rates are calculated:

• PUB provincial (airconditioned, Super Deluxe, Deluxe): P0.35 per kilometer
• PUB provincial (luxury): P0.45 per kilometer
• PUB provincial (ordinary): P1 on the base fare and P0.30 on the succeeding kilometer

– Rappler.com