• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), the operator of Ceres buses, has announced that it will implement higher bus fares starting Monday, Sept. 28, following the latest fare adjustment approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The bus operator advised passengers to take note of the fare increase and prepare for the adjustment, saying updated fares for its routes will be announced separately.
Under the approved fare schedule, the fare for the first five kilometers of an ordinary bus is P12, with an additional P2.20 per succeeding kilometer, the LTFRB advisory said.
For other bus classifications, the succeeding-kilometer rates are P2.45 for airconditioned buses, P2.60 for deluxe buses, P2.70 for super deluxe buses, and P3.35 for luxury buses.
For another fare category covered by the LTFRB adjustment, the first five kilometers will cost P15 for ordinary buses plus P2.49 for every succeeding kilometer.
For airconditioned buses, the minimum fare for the first five kilometers will be P18 plus P2.98 per succeeding kilometer.
The fare adjustment, which had been suspended in March 2026, was approved amid continued increases in fuel prices and their impact on public transport operations.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has approved the LTFRB recommendation, with the Department of Transportation tasked to balance the sustainability of public utility vehicle operations with the needs of commuters.
In a statement, Lopez emphasized the need to maintain sufficient and reliable public transportation services as the new fares take effect. | GPB
