Following the increase, the minimum jeepney fare in Luzon will now be P8 from the original P7, while minimum fare in Visayas and Mindanao will be P7.50 from P6.50.

A provisional fare increase of P1 for the first five kilometers for passenger jeeps will likewise be implemented.

In a report by Julius Segovia on GMA News “24 Oras" Monday, the LTFRB said the hike does not need to undergo hearings and may be immediately implemented as it was the original minimum fare approved by the board in 2008.

"That was the authority or rate given to them previously in 2008 which they voluntarily reduced because of the reduction in fuel price before," said LTFRB chairman Nelson Laluces in the newscast.

Even with the increase, the new jeepney fare is still below the P8.50 originally approved by the LTFRB in July 2008. Operators voluntarily reduced the rate to P7 in February 2009 after a rollback in fuel prices.

“Sa ngayon tumataas. Mabuti nga nagpaalam pa sila sa amin (Now the fare is being increased. It’s good that they asked permission from us). I think they have the prerogative to just tell the people na teka, balik na kami (that we’re going back to the original rate)," Laluces said.

Radio dzBB's Manny Vargas meanwhile reported that LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway cited higher costs of fuel, spare parts, and other operating expenses as the reason for the increase.

Some drivers said they are happy with the increase, according to the GMA News newscast, but transport groups believe otherwise.

"Sa 8 pesos medyo maligaya na kami ng konti roon, pero hihingi pa rin kami ng pagpupulong sa board para pag-usapan pa namin yung mga darating na pagtaas ng petrolyo," said Obet Martin, president of the Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang Masda), in the "24 Oras" newscast

George San Mateo, secretary general of the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), said oil price regulation remains to be the solution to the unabated hikes in prices of petroleum products.

"Hindi pa rin iyan ang magiging tunay na solusyon sa problema. Talagang ‘yung pagkontrol pa rin sa presyo ng langis at yung pag-ensure na walang overpricing (Controlling the price of petroleum products and ensuring that there is no overpricing remain to be the real solution to the problem)," San Mateo said in the same newscast.

The Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (Acto) meanwhile is batting for a “win-win" solution that will benefit both the oil companies and the jeepney drivers.

"(Sana) magkaroon ng standard ang LTFRB na win-win solution, wala na yung hearing-hearing. Kapag bumaba, rollback ng 50centavos. ‘Pagka tumaas, taas kaagad ng 50 centavos, para lumalabas, parehong panalo," said Acto president Efren de Luna.

(We hope the LTFRB will implement a standard that will be a win-win solution and will not require hearings anymore. If fuel prices go down, a rollback of 50 centavos in jeepney fare should be automatically implemented. If fuel prices go up, there should be an automatic 50-centavo increase so that both parties will benefit from it.)

SLEX toll fee hike

In a related development, the South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC) is also implementing its second wave of toll fee increases in the South Luzon Expressway on Tuesday.

The toll from Alabang to Calamba for class 1 vehicles will be increased to P76 to P79; for class 2 vehicles, from P152 to P159; and for class 3 vehicles, from P238 to P228.

Class 1 vehicles include private cars, jeepneys and other vehicles with two axles and not more than seven feet in height. Class 2 vehicles are trucks with two axles and over seven feet in height, while class 3 vehicles are trucks with three or more axles and a height of more than seven feet.

"It's voluntary on their (SLTC) part to effect the graduated increase," said LTFRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz in the same newscast.

The SLTC implemented the first wave of toll fee increases in January 1, 2011, while two more hikes are scheduled on March and April this year.

Jerrie Abella, GMA News TV