PITX: 8 bus operators reported to LTFRB over unauthorized fare hikes

Eight bus operators have been reported to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for allegedly increasing fares without approval, an official of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) said Monday.

PITX corporate affairs and government relations head Jason Salvador said the violations were monitored amid rising fuel prices and surge of passengers traveling for the Holy Week.

“As of count, mga walo na 'yung naitala namin. So nagbabantay pa rin tayo,” Salvador told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(As of count, we have recorded about eight. So we are still monitoring.)

“Nananawagan pa rin tayo sa mga Kapuso natin, kapag meron po kayo na-monitor, meron po kayong kaalaman na nagtataas ng presyo na hindi pinapayagan, bigay ninyo po kaagad sa amin para maisumbong po natin sa DOTr at LTFRB,” he added.

(We are calling on our Kapuso, if you have information on unauthorized fare increases, please give it to us immediately so we can report it to the DOTr and LTFRB.

The PITX official said some of the concerned buses passed through the terminal and were reported after their departure.

Salvador noted that PITX has no enforcement powers to stop buses from operating, emphasizing that only the government can impose penalties.

He also pointed out that stopping non-compliant buses could worsen the situation by reducing available trips during peak travel days.

“Nililinaw din natin kung ito 'yung mga taas presyo na dulot ba ng nagro-RoRo kasi may mga iba diyan, nagbabayad sa mga bus na sumasakay ng mga barko,” he said in a separate interview on GTV’s Balitanghali.

(We are also clarifying whether these are the high prices caused by RoRo because there are some passengers paying for buses that board ships.)

“Pero nevertheless unless may pahintulot ito ng DOTR at LTFRB, dapat hindi nila ito ginagawa.” he added.

(But nevertheless unless this has permission from the DOTR and LTFRB, they should not be doing this.)

Salvador noted an increase in the number of passengers at PITX, from around 165,000 on Palm Sunday in 2025 to 178,000 on Palm Sunday this year.

While some operators reduced the number of the deployed bus units amid the rising fuel prices, Salvador said that no passengers have been stranded at the terminal so far. —AOL, GMA Integrated News