With the operators emphasizing that both provincial and city bus lines are bleeding.
In a statement posted by Victory Liner which was signed by the Provincial Bus Operators of the Philippines, Samahan ng Nanganasiawa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, SOLUBOA, and the Mega Manila Consortium, they issued a joint call to President Ferdinand Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and other branches of the government.
“We urgently call upon His Excellency the President of the Republic of the Philippines, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Finance, the Department of Energy and the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), for the immediate lifting of the directive suspending the fare adjustment order previously approved by the LTFRB last March 14, 2026.
They stressed that they are asking for a fare that will “keep public transport moving” and said that they are not asking for “ayuda” or assistance.
“Fuel prices have reached levels that our operations can no longer absorb. Fuel already accounts for approximately 45-60% of our operating costs, yet the fares we are authorized to collect have not kept pace with the actual cost of providing safe and reliable transportation,” the groups said.
They noted that land transport is placed at a “distinct disadvantage” in the ongoing challenges, as airlines and sea transport operators may impose fuel surcharges in response to extraordinary fuel-price increases.
“Provincial and city buses cannot independently impose a similar surcharge. We must continue operating under regulated fares while absorbing every fuel-price increase,” they added.
Moreover, they also cited another inequity, which are passenger fares that are not subject to VAT, yet the purchasing of fuel carries VAT.
“Because our sales generate no output VAT against which the VAT on fuel may be credited, that tax becomes part of our cost-a burden the bus operator must absorb,” the groups furthered.
They also pointed out that wwre also required to modernize our fleets and in good faith, operators invested in new buses and took out substantial loans to comply.
“Today, we must carry the combined costs of fuel, modernization loans, spare parts, tires, maintenance, insurance, toll fees and regulatory compliance.”
Thus, an impending wage increase will add further pressure to the companies. While they recognize that employees deserve fair compensation, they also reasoned out that higher wages must be supported by revenues sufficient to sustain both employment and operations.
“No industry can survive when its regulated revenue is lower than the actual cost of delivering its service,” they added.
“We are not asking the government for ayuda. We are not asking taxpayers to carry our businesses. We are asking for a fair and sustainable fare that reflects the real cost of operating public transportation,” the groups also emphasized.
“We cannot freely increase fares. We cannot impose a fuel surcharge. We cannot compromise safety or maintenance. We cannot simply stop operating without risking the abandonment or cancellation of our franchises.”
They also warned that responsible operators might be pushed into insolvency, which will make commuters suffer—with fewer buses, fewer trips, longer waiting times and the loss of vital connections between cities and provinces.
“Thousands of drivers, conductors, mechanics and support personnel will also face the loss of their livelihoods,” the companies added.
“We understand that fare adjustments affect commuters. But keeping fares artificially below the actual cost of service does not protect the public in the long term. It merely delays the crisis until operators can no longer deploy enough safe and roadworthy buses.”
“We modernized our bus units, and services because the hovemment required us to modernize. We borrowed because compliance required capital. We continue to operate because our franchises carry a public responsibility.”
“Now, government must fulfill its corresponding responsibility: to ensure that the public transport system it regulates remains financially capable of serving the Filipino people.”
The groups also said that it is time to act now “before more buses can no longer leave their terminals.”
“The provincial and city bus industries remain ready to serve. But public service must also be allowed to survive,” the statement concluded.
