COMMUTERS may soon need to brace for higher transport costs as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) considers approving a ₱1 fare hike for traditional jeepneys as early as next week.
LTFRB chair Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said the fare adjustment could be granted provisionally following consecutive oil price hikes driven by rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
“One peso across the board, pero that’s all. Wala ‘yung per kilometer na increase. Flat rate muna. Masyado nang mabigat sa mga consumers,” Guadiz said.
He noted that the fare hike will be conditional, depending on oil prices staying at or above $80 per barrel for Dubai crude.
The LTFRB is also reviewing a separate petition to raise fares for provincial buses. Guadiz said the increase, if granted, would be on a graduated basis: “Posible hong itaas namin but on a graduated rate for first 10 kilometers, then subsequently mayroon kaming ilalagay na price for a subsequent kilometer.”
Meanwhile, bus operators in Metro Manila have withdrawn their own fare hike petitions, citing stiff competition from rail lines, modern jeepneys, and motorcycle taxis.
“The impact maybe is that if they increase the price of the fare, baka ho wala nang sumakay sa kanila,” Guadiz added.
