The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced fare increases for almost all modes of public transportation, effective Thursday, March 19.

LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza made the announcement during a press briefing on Tuesday, March 17, where he said increasing the fare was “one of the hardest decisions of the board” because of the “erratic” surge in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.

In adjusting the fares, Mendoza said the agency considered rising fuel prices, the increase in cost of spare parts and maintenance of vehicles, the types of transport service, and the nationwide average minimum wage increase of 19% or P76 from 2022 to 2025.

He added that the new fare matrix was computed based on fuel prices ranging from P75 to P80 per liter.

The fare increases are provisional and will become permanent by June once the new fare matrices are issued.

Should the conflict in the Middle East end and fuel prices substantially go down, Mendoza said the LTFRB could implement a provisional fare reduction..