Fare hike, transport strike greet commuters today

MANILA, Philippines — Higher fares for public utility vehicles will take effect today as transport groups push through with their planned strike amid rising fuel prices.

Under the approved fare adjustment, the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys will increase by P1, from P13 to P14 for the first four kilometers, with an additional P2 for every succeeding kilometer from P1.80.

Fares for modern jeepneys will increase by P2, from P15 to P17, with an additional P2.40 for every succeeding kilometer from P2.20.

The first five kilometers for ordinary city public utility buses will increase from P13 to P15 and from P2.25 to P2.49 for every succeeding kilometer.

Fares for air-conditioned city buses will be raised from P15 to P18, and P2.65 to P2.98 for every succeeding kilometer.

For the first five kilometers for ordinary provincial public utility buses, the fare will increase from P11 to P12, and for the succeeding kilometer from P1.90 to 2.20. 

For air-conditioned provincial buses, fare for the succeeding kilometer will increase from P2.10 to P2.45 while deluxe will be bumped from P2.25 to P2.60.

Super deluxe air-conditioned provincial buses will have a higher fare for every succeeding kilometer from P2.35 to P2.70 and the luxury will be bumped from P2.90 to P3.35.

Airport taxi fare will increase from P75 to P115 for the first 500 meters, but there will be no hikes for the 300-meter and per two-minute rates.

For TNVS, the base fare for sedan will go up from P45 to 65, while AUV/SUV fare will be bumped up to P55 to P75, hatchback from P35 to P55 and premium from P145 to P165. Their pick-up fare will be P15 per kilometer.

Point-to-point buses will have a 15-percent increase from their existing fares.

Despite the fare hikes, the transport strike of Manibela and Piston will continue this week.

Manibela will start its strike today while Piston will follow through the next day. Both groups will conclude their transport strike on Wednesday.

“Short-term aid or fuel subsidies are insufficient if oil prices continue to rise. Long-term, concrete solutions are needed to protect the livelihood of drivers and operators and ensure that the public transport sector does not face financial collapse,” Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said.