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Automotive

Daily intelligence on the Automotive beat

Monday, September 28, 2026

Issue #96

PUV Fares Rise Sept 28 as Drivers Strike

Jeepney, bus, and taxi fares rose nationwide on Sept. 28 after the transport department lifted a six-month suspension, while Manibela and Piston began a three-day strike and the LTFRB warned drivers to post updated fare matrices first.

By the MMI Automotive Desk

A one-peso increase in the minimum jeepney fare took effect on Monday, Sept. 28, and it arrived alongside a three-day transport strike, a regional warning that drivers without updated fare matrices cannot legally charge the new rates, and a government cash-assistance program for operators in Western Visayas. The fare adjustment — the first since the [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)](https://media-meter.com/report-library/philippine-transport-fare-hikes-fuel-subsidies-and-ev-expans "Philippine transport fare hikes fuel subsidies and ev expans") approved it in March 2026 and then suspended it — raises the base fare for traditional jeepneys to ₱14 for the first four kilometers from ₱13, a 7.7 percent increase, with ₱2 for every kilometer after that, up 11.1 percent(https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/09/28/land-transport-riders-to-pay-higher-fares-starting-monday). Modern jeepneys go to ₱17 from ₱15, with ₱2.40 per succeeding kilometer(http://journaldailynewsonline.com.ph/index.php/2026/09/28/jeepney-minimum-fare-now-p14-buses-tnvs-airport-taxis-also-hike-rates). Ordinary city buses in Metro Manila now charge ₱15 for the first five kilometers and air-conditioned buses ₱18, while airport taxis start at ₱115 for the first 500 meters(http://journaldailynewsonline.com.ph/index.php/2026/09/28/jeepney-minimum-fare-now-p14-buses-tnvs-airport-taxis-also-hike-rates).

The [fare hike](https://media-meter.com/report-library/ev-incentives-and-fare-hikes-dominate-ph-transport-news "Ev incentives and fare hikes dominate ph transport news") dominated the day's coverage in the items reviewed here, drawing heavy newspaper attention. A single Business Mirror report on the adjustment carried an estimated ₱594,012 in advertising-equivalent value — the notional cost of buying the same space as paid advertising, not a count of readers(https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/09/28/land-transport-riders-to-pay-higher-fares-starting-monday). A Panay News report on the LTFRB's "no matrix, no fare hike" warning carried ₱410,844(http://panaynews.net/no-matrix-no-fare-hike-ltfrb-warns-public-utility-vehicle-drivers-as-higher-fares-take-effect-today), and an Inquirer Plus report on the strike carried ₱363,776(http://plus.inquirer.net/news/transport-strikes-a-go-as-fare-hikes-take-effect). The concentration of high-value items on the fare story reflects both the breadth of the rollout and the fact that the monitoring behind this snapshot captured a largely online-news set; it is not a measure of how many commuters were affected.

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More Automotive

Fare hike starts Sept 28 as LTFRB orders posted matrices

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board reminded jeepney and bus operators to display updated fare matrices before the September 28 increase takes effect, while the Land Transportation Office revoked a taxi driver's license for life and moved against a television host over a seatbelt violation.

Marcos Suspends LPG Excise Tax as Jeepney Fares Rise

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Fuel Costs Drive Fare Fights, EV Push, LTO Delays

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