The minimum fare for traditional and modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs) nationwide increased by P1.

Approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the P1 provisional fare hike took effect on took effect on Sunday, Oct. 8.

The minimum fare for traditional and modern PUJs was adjusted to P13 from P12 and P15 from P14, respectively.

“Piso na provisional fare increase lamang po ang inaprubahan natin sa first 4 kilometers pero wala pong kahit anong dagdag sa succeeding kilometers, LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III said in a press conference.

The implementation period of the provisional increase, according to the transport official, will be under the prerogative of LTFRB.

“Itong binigay namin ay, in my words, pantawid lamang po ito habang nililitis namin ‘yung kanilang kahilingan, which would be the permanent increase,” said Guadiz.

The Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide, Inc. (PASANG MASDA), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) petitioned a P5 fare increase for the first 4 kilometers and a P1 increase for succeeding kilometers.

Guadiz said the decision on the proposed permanent increase will still have to be carefully studied carefully by LTFRB board.IMT