How the Bus and Jeepney Fare Hike Will Affect Your Monthly Budget

Commuting in Manila is crazy—let us make that a whopping and outstanding fact. And it is not just crazy, it is terrible. Some say, it is better to own a car rather than brave the daily struggle of commuting. What do you think?

Recently, there has been a fare hike which was implemented early this month making the minimum fare for jeepneys now, P10 from P8. The fare hike covers jeepneys and buses in Regions 3, 4 and NCR. However, the catch is, drivers and operators who do not have the LTFRB-issued certificates and fare matrix, cannot charge the passengers with the additional fare.

Simply put, instances like this would probably have implications to the life of daily commuters. Financially speaking, it would affect your daily transportation budget which then results to a modification on your monthly expenses. How will the fare hikes affect your budget, really?

For start-ups, budget allocation can be so difficult as most generally start with minimum salary. Branching out—there could be a lot of factors to consider when talking about one’s daily expenses. Picture this, with your minimum salary, how do you think you’ll be affected given the hike?

Zooming out from the details, the fare hike might seem to be easy to grasp, adopt, and integrate into your own mundanity. But think of how much it would cost you if you cumulatively add everything for the entire month. The two pesos increase becomes 10 pesos for five straight days from a single jeepney ride. This is to give consideration that not everyone goes on a single route travelling. 

• New fare hike: From P8 to P10
• For a 20-day commute: From P160 to P200

Now, if we try to be realistic and compute everything for a month, you’ll have to shell out an additional of PHP40 every month based from the minimum fare. But it still varies depending on the distance of your destination. This amount seem small but when lumped in together, it can still be spent in some necessities especially food, maybe a meal or two.

However, since the hike doesn’t just concern jeepneys—there are more commuters affected. Bus routes usually head to business districts in Metro Manila. For instance, Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) caters to thousands of buses each day. These buses transport people to business districts such as Makati and Bonifacio Global City.

Given the hike, bus fares relatively increased as well. Business districts provide so many job opportunities for the people. In fact, when you observe in these locations, there are thousands of people employed.

The people employed in these business districts range from start-ups up to top-level officials and executives. This just brings up the fact that though these are business districts, employees do not necessarily receive more than what others do. There are still lines between blue and collar jobs, of course.

Regardless of the transportation, the hike obviously affects commuters negatively, financially speaking. The small notch from the price hike can blow up into something bigger. The daily burden of having to shell out more to transportation fees can be hindrance to other people’s budget allocation and prioritization. Yes, this can be a burden, but what are underlying causes of the hike? Going to the other side of the coin, think of the drivers and operators.

On drivers and operators, they had to request for the hike due to various instances especially the rising fuel prices. More so on extra expenses, maintenance and registration of their vehicles come second. This has been brought up to highlight that the commuters are not the only ones affected, and there are reasons for the hike.

Most people commute, yes. And most people are affected by the hike. The real effect of the hike will be felt when the bigger picture comes in. And there, one must be very keen about his expenses as there are things to be prioritized more. This all boils down to one’s careful and wise management of his salary no matter how much.

No matter what the root is, one must remain hopeful about the administration’s ways and means to combat whatever it is necessary and of public benefit.

Case on point—price hikes are real and they’re happening. And inflation has not been brought up to this plate yet. First step to accepting what’s at present and real, acknowledge. And make your way through it. These price hikes are like things we do not ask, but we have to deal with. Very much like problems, people do not receive such unless they can combat it—philosophically speaking. However, being real and blunt about this situation, our country deserves better, for the better.

Remember, the key to survive the price hike is by getting used to it. Make adjustments to your money woes and make the most of your salary. A smart money manager can utilize his funds very well. Do you remember the last time you tighten your belt so much and survived? You can wing this!

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