Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), operator of Ceres buses, announced on Thursday, March 19, that it has called off its implementation of fare increases across all its routes nationwide.
The VTI announcement came a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of fare hikes,
“In my opinion, because we still have problems due to the war in the Middle East, I said maybe this is not the time to raise fares for our countrymen,” Marcos had said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had initially granted a provisional fare hike for provincial public utility buses effective March 14.
VTI said that, in compliance with the president’s directive, it will operate at the “previous fare rates, with no increases implemented.”
Jade Marquez, VTI Media Relations Officer, noted that the company had implemented the fare hike from Monday to Wednesday following its LTFRB approval.
Marquez assured the public that all of their buses remains fully operational to serve the public despite soaring fuel prices and ongoing economic difficulties.*
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