Filipino commuters need to shell out additional pesos in their daily transportation allowance after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved on Friday the petitioned fare increase.

LTFRB approved the fare hike for Traditional Public Utility Jeepneys and Modern Public Utility Jeepneys, Public Utility Buses, taxi and Transport Network Vehicle Service to help drivers and operators recover losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic and fuel price spikes.

The LTFRB granted a P1 provisional increase for TPUJ and MPUJ for the first four kilometers effective 4 October.

The minimum fares for TPUJ will now be P12, while MPUJ will be P14. There will also be an additional fare of P0.30 per succeeding kilometer for TPUJ, and P0.40 per succeeding kilometer for MPUJ.

The agency also approved a P2 uniformed base fare increase for city and provincial buses for the first 5 kilometers and the succeeding kilometer fare increase of P0.35 to P0.50 depending on the type of bus.

The Board also increased the flag-down rate of taxis and TNVS by P5.

Upon effectivity of the decision, the minimum fare for taxis and sedan-type TNVS will be P45, while AUV/SUV-type TNVS will be P55.

For hatchback-type TNVS, flag down rate will be P35. There will be no increase in the succeeding kilometers.

The 20 percent discount for senior citizens, persons with disability, and students remain effective.

In the decision released by LTFRB, the agency conducted a study thru its Franchise Planning and Monitoring Division, which used the fare adjustment formula based on Memorandum Circular 2019-035, the opinion of different stakeholders, increasing operational cost of PUVs, and the opinion of the NEDA.