Amid fuel hikes, weak demand: Public transport shrinks by 40%

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu’s public transportation has contracted by about 40 percent as rising fuel prices, driver shortages, and reduced passenger demand continue to strain operations, according to transport leaders.

Ellen Maghanoy, president of the Cebu Federation of Transport Cooperatives, admitted that operations of modern jeepneys have dropped significantly due to high cost of fuel.

From about 800 to 900 units under their network, only around 600 are currently operating, with numbers expected to decline further in the coming days.

“Nag-reduce gyud. Mga 40 percent ang wala na nanagan,” Maghanoy said, noting that several routes have become noticeably sparse.

She attributed the decline not only to high diesel prices but also to reduced passenger demand as more commuters shift to work-from-home arrangements.

“Karun mingaw kaayo. Gamay na lang pasahero kay daghan na nag-work from home,” she said.

To cushion the impact, the El Pardo Transport Cooperative has implemented a fuel subsidy of ₱30 per liter, partially covering diesel costs.

Even so, operators have been forced to cut daily boundary rates by as much as 50 percent. From a previous ₱3,000 per day (exclusive of fuel), drivers now remit only about ₱1,000 to ₱1,500, depending on earnings.

“Ni-reduce mi sa boundary kay dili na gyud kaya. Pero bisan ana, usahay negative pa gihapon ang remittance sa mga drivers sa ilang boundary,” Maghanoy said.

Before the spike in fuel prices, drivers could still take home around ₱1,000 to ₱1,500 daily after expenses. Now, many struggle to earn even ₱200.

“Ang uban gani mobiyahe na lang para makapalit og bugas,” she added.

The worsening situation has forced many drivers to stop working, with some returning to their home provinces while others wait for conditions to improve.

“Daghan na ni-surrender. Ang uban niuli na sa probinsya, ang uban naghulat na lang kung maayo na ang panahon,” she said.

The cooperative is also grappling with loan obligations for modernized units and has sought relief from government banks such as the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Operators have submitted position papers requesting a loan moratorium, although negotiations are ongoing. Some lenders, including cooperative banks, have allowed interest-only payments in the interim.

Maghanoy downplayed the impact of government fuel subsidies, saying these remain insufficient given daily operating costs.

Drivers are set to receive a one-time ₱5,000 subsidy from the government—equivalent to roughly a day’s earnings under current conditions, she said.

Operators, meanwhile, are expected to receive around ₱10,000 in fuel assistance, although Maghanoy noted delays in its release.

“Istorya pa man na hangtud karon wa man,” she said, adding that the amount would be quickly offset by rising diesel expenses.

With mounting losses and declining ridership, Maghanoy warned that more units may cease operations if fuel prices continue to rise.

“Murag natural na nga hinay-hinay na gyud og kagamay ang mobiyahe kay mahal na kaayo ang krudo unya daghan na nag-work from home,” she said.

Julieto Flores, chairman of the Cebu Provincial Operators Transport Cooperative, said minibus operations have likewise declined, with only about 60 percent of units currently running—mirroring the broader 40-percent drop across the sector.

“Daghan gyud wala na nanagan,” Flores said, citing low passenger demand linked to work-from-home arrangements.

Flores, who owns JBH Trans, said drivers’ take-home pay has dropped sharply.

Previously, drivers faced a daily boundary of ₱3,500 plus diesel costs averaging ₱3,000. Now, daily earnings have fallen to as low as ₱1,000, with many unable to cover expenses.

“Possible nga sa coming days, wala nay managan nga mini bus. Automatic na. Wala nay mubiyahe,” he warned.

Both Maghanoy and Flores stressed the need for stronger government intervention, including extended fuel subsidies and more flexible loan arrangements, to prevent further disruption in public transport services.

“Surviving kita ani,” Flores said.

Taxi operators are also grappling with escalating fuel costs and declining earnings, prompting some to also reduce boundary rates, said Richard Cabucos, president of the United Cebu Taxi Operators Association (UCTOA).

Cabucos noted that drivers who previously earned up to ₱800 a day are now seeing significantly lower take-home pay due to persistent fuel price increases.

“Sa una, ang among mga driver makakuha og moabot og ₱800 kada adlaw. Pero karon, tungod sa saka sa gasolina, dako kaayo ang epekto,” he said, adding that fuel prices have surged sharply in recent months—by as much as 300 percent compared to previous levels—placing heavy pressure on both drivers and operators.

To help ease the burden, operators have reduced boundary rates, or the fixed daily remittance required from drivers.

“Naningkamot gyud mi nga makatabang. Among gipakunhod ang boundary aron makapadayon lang og pasada ang mga driver ug makakita gihapon og kita,” said Cabucos, who also owns Richielda Taxi.

Despite these adjustments, Cabucos admitted that both drivers and operators continue to struggle financially, with some operators reportedly cutting back on vehicle maintenance just to keep units running.

“Ang among tumong mao lang gyud nga mapadagan ang unit ug naa gihapon kita ang driver, bisan gamay. Pero usahay lisod na gyud kaayo,” he added.

He also cited growing frustration among drivers, some of whom are considering leaving the sector due to the rising cost of living.

“Dili pirmi malipayon ang mga driver. Nagkagamay na ilang pasensya, ug ang uban gusto na mobiya kay lisod na gyud ang kinabuhi,” he said.

Cabucos emphasized that operators are likewise burdened by ongoing bank obligations and operational costs despite shrinking revenues.

“Pareho ra ni sa pandemic—hinay-hinay lang gyud mi og paningkamot aron makasurvive,” he said.

A fresh round of fuel price increases set to take effect today, April 7, is expected to further squeeze the earnings of transport workers, with v-hire and taxi drivers saying the continued hikes are making it harder for them to bring enough money home for their families.

Under the latest adjustment, gasoline prices will increase by P5.90 per liter, diesel by P19.80 per liter, and kerosene by P9.10 per liter, driving up operating costs once again for workers whose livelihood depends on daily trips on the road.

A v-hire driver, who asked not to be named, said the repeated increase in fuel prices has become harder to bear, especially since fares have yet to be raised.

“Grabe na gyud kalisod karon, labihan na nga wala pa pud gipa-isa ang plete,” he said. He added that despite spending long hours on the road, what is left for their family has become very little. “Gamay nalang kaayo mi ug mauli sa amoa,” he said.

The same driver said there are even days when they go home with almost nothing because passengers are also scarce.

“Usahay wala gyud mi mauli bisan dugay pa sa dalan kay tungod sa nihit pud ang pasahero usahay,” he said.

He appealed for government intervention, saying transport workers need more than short-term relief.

“Hinaot unta nga masolusyonan ni nga problema. Ang amoa, long-term gyud unta nga solusyon,” he added.

A taxi driver, who also requested anonymity, echoed the same frustration, saying much of what used to be their earnings now goes directly to fuel expenses.

“Ang ginansya sauna, mapadung na sa gasolina,” he said, noting that their fuel costs have already doubled. “Ang amoang gasolina karon x2 na,” he added.

Still, the taxi driver said they have no choice but to keep working despite the continued hikes.

“Wala gyud mi mahimo sa sige’g saka kung di mopadayon,” he said. He also called on authorities to act on the problem before it further affects drivers trying to make a living.

“Unta masulbad ni nila nga problemaha kay sila ra gyud ang makasulbad ani. Hinaot naa silay buhaton ani para makatabang sa amoa,” he said.