THE government on Tuesday approved fare hikes for jeepneys, buses, airport taxis, and ride-hailing services beginning this week, citing sustained increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and wages. For traditional jeepneys, the minimum fare was increased to P14 from P13 for the first four kilometers, formalizing a provisional hike granted in 2023. The per-kilometer rate beyond the base distance also rose by P0.20. Modern jeepneys will continue to charge about 20 percent more than traditional units, with their minimum fare now at P17. In Metro Manila, the base fare for ordinary city buses was raised from P13 to P15 for the first five kilometers, while the per-kilometer rate increased from P2.25 to P2.49. Air-conditioned buses will maintain fares about 20 percent higher than ordinary buses. For provincial buses, previously approved adjustments took effect over the weekend, with per-kilometer increases averaging P0.30 to P0.45 depending on the type of service, translating to fare hikes of about 14 to 16 percent. The LTFRB also approved a P40 increase in the flag-down rate for airport taxis, raising it from P75 to P115, while maintaining existing distance and waiting time charges. For ride-hailing platforms such as Grab and inDrive, base fares increased by P20 across vehicle types. Sedan base fares rose to P65 from P45, AUVs to P75 from P55, hatchbacks to P55 from P35, and premium services to P165 from P145. A new P15 pick-up fee was also introduced, replacing a higher temporary charge implemented during the holiday season. However, per-kilometer and time-based rates for transport network vehicle or ride-hailing services remain unchanged. Point-to-point (P2P) bus services were granted a 15-percent fare increase across all routes. Erratic fuel prices The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the decision to raise fares came after extensive deliberations, public consultations, and cost analyses, as regulators sought to strike a balance between protecting commuters and ensuring the financial viability of transport operators. “The difficulty here is that the price of fuel is so erratic. Every week we see substantial changes,” said LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II during a press briefing, noting that the board repeatedly recalculated fare levels due to volatility in global oil prices. The adjustments, guided by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) under Secretary Giovanni Lopez and supported by data from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, form part of a broader government response to rising petroleum prices linked to the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Cost drivers and calibration The LTFRB said fare increases were based on fuel prices ranging from P75 to P88 per liter, a roughly 14-percent rise in spare parts and maintenance expenses, and an average 19-percent increase in minimum wages from 2022 to 2025. Mendoza said the board deliberately set fare hikes below wage growth levels to cushion the impact on commuters, while acknowledging that operating costs in the transport sector had risen sharply — with some estimates placing maintenance and operational increases at over 50 percent since 2022. “These compelling circumstances prompted the board to allow a reasonable rate of increase,” the LTFRB said. Mendoza said the fare adjustments will take effect as early as Thursday once the LTFRB order is published and operators secure and display official fare guides inside their vehicles. Operators have until June to obtain full fare matrices for permanent implementation. Until then, the increases will be treated as provisional. The LTFRB also reiterated mandatory discounts, including 20-percent reductions for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students during school days. The board said it may also consider fare reductions if fuel prices fall below P75 per liter, subject to further review and public hearings. Meanwhile, several petitions remain under evaluation, including those filed by operators of regular taxis, UV Express vans, tricycles, and motorcycle taxis. Transport groups welcome decision Transport groups welcomed the fare adjustments, describing them as long-overdue relief for drivers struggling with rising costs. Walter Lugay, spokesman of TNVS Community Philippines, said the new rates would help sustain driver participation in ride-hailing platforms. “This decision is a vital recognition of the challenges faced by ordinary drivers and operators in today’s volatile economic climate,” Lugay said, adding that the adjustment would help prevent drivers from leaving the sector due to unsustainable earnings. The United Transportation Coalition Philippines Inc. (UTCPI) also expressed support, saying the move reflected government recognition of the financial strain on transport workers. However, UTCPI said the fare adjustments, while necessary, should be accompanied by stricter government oversight of fuel pricing and broader reforms to protect both drivers and commuters from what it described as uneven market practices. UTCPI President Lisza Buscaino-Redulla said transport workers continue to bear the brunt of successive oil price increases, noting that even small adjustments in diesel and gasoline prices immediately reduce drivers’ daily take-home income. “Public transport drivers feel the impact first and the hardest,” Buscaino-Redulla said. “Every increase in fuel directly eats into their earnings, and for many of them, that spells the difference between bringing home enough for their families or not.” UTCPI also said fare adjustments alone are not enough to address the financial strain on the transport sector, pointing out that many drivers continue to operate on thin margins despite the approved increases. Citing data from its members, the group said motorcycle taxi riders working up to 10 hours a day typically earn between P1,700 and P2,200 in gross income. However, after deducting platform commissions, fuel expenses, vehicle amortization, maintenance, food, and mobile data costs, their net earnings could drop to as low as P160 to P660 daily. “This is the reality on the ground,” Buscaino-Redulla said. “What appears to be a reasonable income on paper is significantly reduced once all operational expenses are accounted for.” The coalition warned that without timely adjustments to fare structures and better regulation of fuel pricing, more drivers may be forced to leave the industry, potentially affecting service availability for commuters. UTCPI also emphasized the growing importance of motorcycle taxis in providing first-mile and last-mile connectivity, especially in urban areas where commuters rely on flexible and faster transport options. “Yet the riders who provide this essential service continue to operate under an outdated fare matrix that no longer reflects present economic realities,” Buscaino-Redulla said. The group confirmed that it filed a petition before the LTFRB on March 12, 2026, seeking an updated fare structure for motorcycle taxis, adding that it is prepared to participate in public consultations and hearings. UTCPI said it is also open to working with the Department of Transportation and other agencies to push for long-term reforms, including more transparent fuel pricing mechanisms and sustainable fare policies. “At the end of the day, drivers and commuters should not be treated as shock absorbers of oil price volatility,” Buscaino-Redulla said. “Both sectors need protection to ensure a stable and reliable public transport system.”