Mindanao bus operator to hike fares as fuel costs surge

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboura del Sur — Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) will implement fare increases effective Sept. 28, marking the second adjustment for the regional bus operator in response to volatile fuel market conditions.

The company will add P50 to fares on designated routes, a decision backed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The regulatory body has approved comparable adjustments nationwide, citing persistent increases in diesel and gasoline prices that have strained transport operators' operating costs.

The fare adjustment affects commuters across Mindanao's major transportation corridors served by RTMI. The company operates multiple routes connecting key cities and municipalities throughout the region, with the rate increase expected to help offset mounting fuel expenses.

Transport operators have increasingly sought fare relief as global energy markets remain volatile. The LTFRB's decision to approve the nationwide adjustment reflects acknowledgment of the sector's financial pressures, though fare hikes often draw criticism from commuters already facing rising transportation costs.

RTMI has not announced plans for additional fare adjustments, though industry observers anticipate further pressure on operators should fuel prices continue climbing in coming months.