Transport groups on Wednesday said recently approved fare hikes, later suspended by the government, are still not enough to offset mounting losses as fuel prices continue to rise.
PISTON president Mody Floranda criticized the P1 jeepney fare increase, saying it barely makes a dent in drivers’ expenses amid oil price spikes linked to tensions in the Middle East. He noted that since January, drivers and operators have already been losing around P390 daily, with total losses reaching nearly P1,000 over long hours on the road.
Floranda likened the fare hike to a token gesture, saying even with 200 passengers a day, drivers would only earn an additional P200—far from enough to cover soaring fuel costs that could reach up to P3,600 daily if diesel hits P120 per liter. He added that transport groups may seek a P5 fare increase to help cushion losses, stressing that the goal is not to improve livelihoods but simply to recover what has been lost.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later ordered the suspension of the fare hikes.
Meanwhile, LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza urged drivers to first assess how fare adjustments affect their earnings. Based on agency estimates of 300 passengers daily, drivers could gain around P750 to P900, though he emphasized that passenger volume remains a bigger concern, especially with fewer school days and the possible shift to a four-day work week.
For ride-hailing drivers, LABAN TNVS president Jun de Leon called on the government to regulate commissions charged by transport network companies instead of raising fares. He said current commission rates of 25% to 30% significantly cut into drivers’ income and argued that lowering these to around 10% would allow drivers to earn more without burdening commuters. He also warned that higher fares could drive passengers away.
The LTFRB said it is exploring legal authority to regulate TNC commissions and has asked companies to temporarily reduce their rates. It will also deploy around 50 “mystery riders” across Metro Manila to monitor fare compliance.
Passengers are encouraged to report irregularities through LTFRB channels, while fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle drivers nationwide are set for release next week.
