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What commuters told us about fares

Reliability, transfers and time count as much as the price of a ride.

By RapidPoll Transport Desk · · 1 min read

Manila skyline and the Rizal Monument

Ask commuters in Metro Manila about fares and the conversation rarely stays on the fare. The price of a ride matters, especially for households that pay it several times a day, but it is only one part of what a commute costs.

More than the fare

Riders who change vehicles two or three times pay a boarding charge at every leg, so a trip that looks cheap on a fare matrix can add up quickly. Time spent queueing and the risk of arriving late to work carry a cost of their own.

Fares matter, but so does reliability.

Fares matter, but so does reliability. A slightly higher fare on a route with predictable trips can be easier to plan around than a cheaper ride that never comes on time.

What to watch

Fare petitions are heard by the LTFRB, which weighs operator costs against what riders can afford. Read how fares are set.

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