LTFRB approves fare hike for provincial buses

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has approved the fare increases of provincial buses and other public utility vehicles (PUV) amid ongoing oil price hikes.

The LTFRB granted a provisional fare hike on provincial public utility buses (PUBs) effective March 14.

Provincial PUBs, deluxe and super deluxe buses went up to P0.35 per kilometer, while luxury buses were bumped to P0.45 per kilometer.

The base fare of ordinary provincial buses went up to P1.00 and another bump of P0.30 per succeeding kilometer.

“The LTFRB advises all provincial bus operators to strictly follow the updated Fare Guide and ensure that the approved fares are properly posted inside their units for the guidance of the riding public,” the LTFRB said in a statement.

“Passengers are likewise encouraged to verify the correct fares based on the official Fare Guide and report any violations or overcharging incidents to the LTFRB through its official communication channels,” it added.

The fare hike for jeepneys and buses will be announced on Tuesday.

“The fare hike is guaranteed but we need to justify the amount to Department of Transportation (DOTr) (acting) Secretary Giovanni Lopez (tomorrow),” LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II told GMA News.

“We can’t afford to increase it too much, because it will be very difficult for our passengers. We also have to coordinate with other government agencies on the impact on inflation. We don’t want the prices of commodities to increase too much because of what we’re going to do,” Mendoza said.

Jeepneys and buses are seeking a P2 fare hike.

Meanwhile, the fare hikes for taxis and UV Express still need to go through hearings and a nationwide consultation program, Mendoza added.

Cut airport fees

Passenger service charges (PSC) in provincial airports could be cut by as much as P200 to soften the blow of what could be a drastic spike in airfares prior to the Holy Week’s peak demand.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is looking to reduce the PSC in airports under its jurisdiction to sustain flight demand in the midst of rising fuel prices.

Danjun Lucas, CAAP deputy director general, said the agency’s board of directors is discussing a P50- to P200-reduction in PSC across the 77 airports it is handling.

“Subject to board approval, this will be applied to all CAAP-operated airports. We are looking at P50 to P200 depending on the airport, but no approval yet,” Lucas told The STAR.

In 2025, CAAP increased the PSC across all airports under its management. The hike was meant to generate funds for capacity expansion, maintenance projects and talent investment, especially as some regional gateways are playing a larger role in tourism.

The DOTr is targeting the PSC in CAAP-run airports because it has no control on how airfares would swing from here on, with jet fuel prices reaching new highs due to supply disruptions in the Middle East.

Based on the monitor of the International Air Transport Association, jet fuel prices have gone up on a weekly basis by 58 percent to $157.41 per barrel as of March 6. Before this, the average was way lower at $99.4 a barrel on Feb. 27.

Lopez meanwhile instructed the CAAP to look into the option of reducing service fees paid by airlines.

This way, the DOTr can ask carriers to minimize fare hikes as much as possible, especially as the Holy Week is nearing, which is historically a time for homecomings and vacations of many Filipinos.

Lopez also directed the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to shorten the evaluation period for the fuel surcharge to 15 days, from 30 days, so price reductions can be reflected quickly.

The CAB is expected to adjust the surcharge level for the first time in eight months. The regulator has set the fuel surcharge steady at Level 4 since August 2025, but this is likely changing in April so airlines can recover some of their additional costs.

At Level 4, airlines can collect a fuel surcharge of P117 to 342 for domestic flights and P385.7 to P2,867.82 for international trips, depending on the distance. Carriers are permitted to voluntarily impose a fuel surcharge to cut down losses from price fluctuations in jet fuel.

Some of the world’s largest carriers are billing passengers a fuel surcharge to cushion the impact of rising petroleum prices.

Cathay Pacific, for one, slapped a fuel surcharge of P386 on flights between Hong Kong and the Philippines, along with other destinations like Canada, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

All in all, fares will increase across the board in the transport sector, whether by land, air or sea, as Dubai crude oil hits $127.86 per barrel as of last week due to geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East, the world’s largest petroleum source.

Revive free rides

On top of reducing excise taxes on fuel and granting financial assistance to drivers, the government should also revive the government’s “Libreng Sakay” program, Rep. Ching Bernos said.

The congresswoman from Solid North party-list pointed out that the DOTr said there is a P1-billion allocation in the 2026 national budget for the Service Contracting Program.

Through the SCP, the agency may sign contracting deals with PUV cooperatives and operators for the delivery of transport services. — Elijah Felice Rosales, Delon Porcalla