MANILA (2ND UPDATE) - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday approved the recommendation to raise fares for public utility vehicles (PUVs).
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed that he issued a memorandum to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) lifting the suspension on fare increase.
The memorandum, dated September 24, supports the fare adjustment approved by the LTFRB in March 2026 and a provisional fare adjustments for UV Express and Taxi Services pending resolution of their petitions.
The DOTR said the decision considered the rising operating costs faced by public transport operators and the need to keep public transportation services available and sustainable.
The approved fare adjustments will take effect starting Monday, September 28.
Under the March approved rates:
Traditional jeepneys: P1 increase in the minimum fare, from P13 to P14
Modern jeepneys: P2 increase, from P15 to P17
Ordinary Metro Manila/city buses: P2 increase in the minimum fare, from P13 to P15
Air-conditioned Metro Manila/city buses: P3 increase, from P15 to P18
Ordinary provincial buses: P1 increase in the minimum fare, from P11 to P12
Air-conditioned provincial buses: 2.45 increase per succeeding kilometer
Airport taxis: P40 increase in the flag-down rate for the first 500 meters, from P75 to P115
TNVS: P20 increase in the base fare, depending on the vehicle type
P2P buses: 15% increase in fares
The LTFRB was directed to ensure that operators and drivers post the new fare matrices inside their vehicles before charging the adjusted fares.
The board was also instructed to make sure that mandatory fare discounts for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) remain in place.
The LTFRB must also inform the public about the new fares, monitor compliance and act on complaints involving overcharging.
Philippine transport regulators were evaluating petitions for a fare hike amid mounting pressure from drivers and an impending major spike in domestic fuel prices.
The move follows protests in Metro Manila, where transport group Piston said Tuesday it would stage a nationwide transport strike on September 29 and 30 amid surging fuel prices.