Confirmed: LTFRB Approves Fare Hike for Jeepneys and Buses — Amounts Coming Tuesday

Bad news for commuters — the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has officially approved fare increases for jeepneys and buses. The exact amounts will be announced on Tuesday after the agency justifies them to Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza confirmed the fare hike in a report on GMA Integrated News, saying, "Yung pagtataas, sigurado na po yun." He assured that the increase won't be drastic, as the agency is coordinating with other government bodies to assess the impact on inflation and the prices of goods.

The fare hike will cover all transport groups that previously filed petitions, including jeepneys and buses. However, taxis and UV Express won't be part of Tuesday's announcement — their petitions still need to go through hearings and a nationwide consultation program.

Transport group ALTODAP president Melencio Vargas said jeepney drivers have no choice but to continue working despite their struggles, noting many are senior citizens with limited education. "Makapag-uwi kami ng 300 to 400 pesos, kahit paano pambili na ng bigas 'yun," he said.

Meanwhile, militant transport group PISTON announced it would push through with protest actions, linking the fare crisis to the effects of the ongoing Middle East conflict and US military aggression on global oil prices — which have been hammering the Philippine economy for weeks.

Source: GMA News