MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board announced Thursday it has approved a provisional P1 increase in public utility bus fares in Metro Manila and provisional fare adjustments for provincial bus operations.
“Ngayong umaga na-i-release iyong order granting provisional increase of P1 for the first 5 kilometers, tapos 15 centavos for every succeeding kilometer after the first 5 kilometers,” LTFRB chair Martin Delgra III said.
A copy of the LTFRB decision released to the media showed that public utility bus services for both Metro Manila and provincial operations are provisionally authorized to increase in the following rates:
METRO MANILA BUS OPERATION
Ordinary bus: Provisional fare rates of P11 from the current P10 for the first 5 kilometers. For every succeeding kilometer after the first 5 kilometers the rate remained at P1.85.
Air-conditioned bus: Provisional fare rates of P13 from the current P12 for the first 5 kilometers. The rate for every succeeding kilometer after the first 5 kilometers is still at P2.20.
PROVINCIAL BUS OPERATION
Ordinary bus: Fare rates for the first 5 kilometers stayed at P9, while for every succeeding kilometer the rate was increased to P1.55 from the current P1.40.
Regular air-conditioned bus: Minimum fare increased to a provisional rate of P1.75 per kilometer from P1.60.
Deluxe air-con bus: Minimum fare increased to P1.85 per kilometer from P1.70.
Super deluxe air-con bus: Minimum fare increased to P1.90 per kilometer from P1.80.
Luxury air-con bus: Minimum fare increased to P2.25 per kilometer from P2.40.
“All PUB operators shall post a fare matrix duly issued by the Board inside their public utility bus that would be continuously seen by the riding public. Otherwise, PUB operators shall not be allowed to collect/charge the fare adjustment as provided herein,” the LTFRB decision read.
“All PUB operators cannot charge/impose the approved fare adjustment, unless and until increase of fare rate and fare matrix fees are properly paid, and issued,” it added.
The LTFRB also officially released the decision increasing the minimum jeepney fare to P10.
Delgra said the decisions will take effect 15 days after it was published in a newspaper. “We will have it published, hopefully … tomorrow,” he said on Thursday.
Transport groups have been clamoring for a fare increase on grounds of soaring fuel prices in light of the tax reform law’s impact on petroleum prices.
“Ang halaga lamang po ng aming pinagbatayan noon ay P35 per liter pero ngayon po umaabot na po tayo ng halos P47 per liter,” Efren de Luna, president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, said in September. (GMA News)
