MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has officially approved a series of fare increases across nearly all modes of public land transportation in the Philippines. Spurred by the “diesel double whammy” and the sustained surge in global crude prices, the board granted the petitions of various transport groups to adjust base fares and per-kilometer rates, effective starting in April 2026.
The decision affects millions of commuters in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, as the regulator seeks to balance the financial viability of operators with the capacity of the riding public to pay. This marks the most significant across-the-board fare adjustment in recent years, covering everything from traditional jeepneys to premium airport taxi services.
“We recognize that this is a difficult time for our commuters, but we must also ensure that our transport providers can continue to operate,” an LTFRB official stated. “With fuel prices reaching record levels, the previous fare structure was no longer sustainable for most drivers, who were essentially taking home less than the minimum wage after fuel expenses.”
The approved fare adjustments are categorized as follows:
- Jeepneys (Traditional & Modern): The minimum fare for traditional jeepneys will increase by ₱1.00, bringing the base rate to ₱13.00. Modern jeepneys will see a similar ₱1.00 increase, moving to a ₱15.00 base fare.
- Buses (City & Provincial): City buses (both Ordinary and Air-conditioned) are granted a ₱2.00 increase for the first five kilometers. Provincial buses will see an adjustment in their per-kilometer rate, varying by route distance.
- Taxis & Airport Cabs: The flag-down rate for regular taxis will increase by ₱5.00, moving from ₱45.00 to ₱50.00. High-end Airport Taxis will see their flag-down rate adjusted to ₱75.00.
- TNVS (Transport Network Vehicle Services): Grab and other ride-hailing platforms have been authorized to implement a modest increase in their base rates and a slight upward adjustment to their per-minute and per-kilometer charges.
To protect vulnerable sectors, the LTFRB emphasized that the 20% student, senior citizen, and PWD discount remains mandatory across all services. Operators are required to display the new official fare matrix inside their vehicles; otherwise, they are not permitted to collect the increased rates.
In tandem with the fare hike, the government is accelerating the distribution of the ₱6,500 fuel subsidy for PUV drivers to help offset the immediate impact of high diesel costs. Transport advocacy groups have expressed mixed reactions, with some calling for a larger hike to match inflation, while consumer groups warn that higher fares will inevitably lead to a secondary spike in the cost of basic goods and services.
As the new rates take effect, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is also pushing for more “Service Contracting” programs, where the government pays drivers a fixed rate to ply their routes, potentially insulating both drivers and passengers from future fuel price volatility.