If you regularly take a jeepney, UV Express, motorcycle taxi, or other public transportation, you may want to give yourself extra travel time over the next few days.
Transport groups have pushed through with a series of transport strikes from September 28 to 30, 2026, with protests happening in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
The important thing to know, though, is that there are actually two separate strike schedules.
MANIBELA started its three-day transport strike on Monday, September 28, while PISTON is scheduled to launch a larger two-day nationwide transport strike on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 29 and 30.
Here’s what commuters need to know.
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Transport Strike Schedule: September 28–30, 2026
Here is the current schedule:
September 28, Monday
MANIBELA begins its three-day transport strike.
The group gathered early Monday morning along University Avenue in Quezon City together with some TNVS drivers, UV Express drivers, motorcycle taxi riders and truckers.
A caravan left University Avenue and proceeded toward Philcoa, where MANIBELA held a protest program.
MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena said around 20,000 to 25,000 jeepney drivers from different Metro Manila routes were expected to participate in the action.
September 29, Tuesday
This is potentially the bigger disruption day.
MANIBELA continues its strike, while PISTON officially begins its own two-day nationwide transport strike.
PISTON earlier said at least 70,000 jeepney drivers and operators could participate nationwide, together with groups representing workers, commuters and urban poor communities.
PISTON has also announced protest activities at strike centers, with actions expected to reach the Mendiola area in Manila.
September 30, Wednesday
Both MANIBELA and PISTON are scheduled to continue their protest actions.
September 30 is currently expected to be the final day of the announced strike.
However, transport protests can change depending on negotiations, participation levels and announcements from the groups themselves, so commuters should continue checking updates before traveling.
Which Routes Could Be Affected?
Not every jeepney route in Metro Manila will necessarily stop operating.
Some drivers and transport organizations are not joining the strike, meaning public transportation will still be available in many areas.
However, PISTON has specifically identified several routes and transportation corridors that could experience disruptions during its September 29–30 strike.
These include:
- Cubao–Marikina–Antipolo
- Commonwealth Avenue
- España
- Monumento
- Novaliches
- Baclaran
- Pasig
- Taguig
- Sucat
- Alabang
These areas include some of Metro Manila’s busiest commuter corridors, so even partial participation could mean longer queues and fewer jeepneys during rush hour.
It is important to clarify that this published list is connected mainly to PISTON’s September 29–30 action. MANIBELA has not released one single complete list covering every affected Metro Manila route for all three days.
What’s Happening Today, September 28?
MANIBELA officially started its strike Monday morning.
Members assembled at University Avenue in Quezon City before traveling toward Philcoa. Some motorcycle taxi riders, TNVS drivers and UV Express operators also joined the protest and chose not to operate temporarily.
However, transportation has not completely stopped across Metro Manila.
For example, several transport organizations in Malabon continued operating despite the protest.
Quezon City also kept its QCity Bus services available while traffic personnel monitored areas that could be affected by the strike.
So this is not a situation where every jeepney suddenly disappears from the streets.
The impact will depend heavily on your location and route.
Free Rides Available During the Strike
The government has started deploying vehicles to help passengers who may have difficulty getting transportation.
For Monday, September 28, the Department of Transportation announced free rides from 6:00 AM until 8:00 PM along several routes, operating in both directions:
- Quiapo–Fairview
- Quiapo–Welcome Rotonda
- Nagtahan–Cubao
- Cubao–Fairview
- Galleria–Taytay
Several Metro Manila local governments also deployed their own vehicles.
Manila stationed free-ride vehicles at its Incident Command Post near Kartilya ng Katipunan in Ermita, while Malabon began operations as early as 5:00 AM. Quezon City’s QCity buses also remained available.
The NCR Police Office has also said authorities are prepared to assist stranded passengers and conduct Libreng Sakay operations if necessary.
More government vehicles could be deployed on September 29 and 30 depending on commuter demand.
Why Are Transport Groups Going on Strike?
The biggest issue is fuel.
Drivers and operators say the sharp increase in petroleum prices has significantly reduced what they actually take home after a day’s work.
MANIBELA is calling for lower fuel prices, higher fares and the removal of excise tax and VAT on petroleum products.
PISTON is similarly demanding government action on fuel prices and has called for the suspension or removal of taxes on petroleum products, among other transport and economic demands.
The protests come after several major fuel price increases in September.
The Department of Energy recently confirmed that the one-month average Dubai crude price crossed the threshold under Philippine law that allows the government to consider reducing or suspending excise taxes on some petroleum products.
But Didn’t Jeepney Fares Just Increase?
Yes — and this is where things get a little confusing.
The new fare rates actually took effect on the same day MANIBELA’s strike started.
Beginning September 28, the minimum traditional jeepney fare increased from ₱13 to ₱14 for the first four kilometers.
For modern jeepneys, the minimum fare increased from ₱15 to ₱17.
The succeeding kilometer rates also increased to ₱2 for traditional jeepneys and ₱2.40 for modern jeepneys.
Bus, UV Express, taxi, airport taxi, TNVS and P2P fares also received various adjustments.
But transport groups say the increases still aren’t enough.
MANIBELA, for example, has continued calling for the full fare adjustment it previously requested, while PISTON argues that increasing fares simply transfers the burden of high fuel prices to passengers.
That is why the transport strike is pushing through despite the newly implemented fare increases.
LTFRB Warns Operators About Possible Penalties
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has warned operators that participation in a strike could result in penalties when franchise requirements to provide public transportation services are violated.
According to LTFRB acting chairman Greg Pua Jr., operators could receive a show-cause order and face a minimum ₱5,000 fine for a first offense.
Repeated violations could lead to suspension or cancellation of franchises.
The agency also cited abandonment rules that may apply to fleet operators when fewer than 60 percent of their units operate for a specified period.
Transport groups, meanwhile, have maintained that their protest will continue.
Transport Strike Outside Metro Manila
The protest isn’t limited to NCR.
Cebu
PISTON Cebu confirmed that its September 29–30 strike will proceed despite the new fare increases.
The Cebu chapter said participating drivers would establish strike centers and stop operating along selected routes.
This means Cebu commuters should also prepare for possible reductions in jeepney availability beginning Tuesday.
Bacolod
There was also a last-minute adjustment in Bacolod.
Earlier announcements suggested a three-day transport action, but BACOD-MANIBELA later said its participation on September 28 would consist of a temporary stoppage and rally.
Around 500 to 700 passenger jeepneys were expected to temporarily stop operating beginning around 9:30 AM, with a rally scheduled from approximately 10:00 AM until noon at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
Drivers were expected to return to their routes after the activity.
Other transport groups in Bacolod and Negros may have their own participation plans, so passengers should still monitor local advisories.
Are Classes Suspended Because of the Transport Strike?
Some local governments have already started announcing suspensions.
As of the latest update, Albay province suspended face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private schools for September 29 and 30.
Schools were advised to use alternative learning modalities instead.
Additional cities and provinces could announce class suspensions depending on how severe transportation disruptions become.
Students and parents should check announcements from their local government and school rather than assuming that classes are automatically suspended nationwide.
Will There Still Be Jeepneys and Buses?
Yes.
A transport strike does not mean that every public utility vehicle will stop operating.
Many drivers belong to organizations that are not participating.
Others may participate only for part of the day before returning to their regular routes.
Buses, trains, P2P buses, some UV Express vehicles, taxis, TNVS services and government-provided free rides may also continue operating.
However, commuters should expect the possibility of longer lines and higher demand for alternative transportation, especially on September 29 when MANIBELA and PISTON activities overlap.
What Commuters Should Do
If you have to travel during the strike, giving yourself a little extra time can make a big difference.
Check whether your regular jeepney route is operating before leaving home. If you normally pass through Commonwealth, Cubao, España, Monumento, Novaliches, Baclaran, Pasig, Taguig, Sucat or Alabang, consider having an alternative route ready.
Train systems could also become busier as passengers shift away from jeepneys.
And if you’re planning to use a ride-hailing service, expect demand — and possibly waiting times — to increase during morning and evening rush hours.
Could the Strike Still Be Cancelled Early?
Yes.
Transport strikes sometimes end earlier than originally announced if negotiations take place or organizations decide to modify their protest.
There is also another factor worth watching: fuel prices.
The Department of Energy said diesel prices could see a significant rollback before the end of September, with earlier estimates suggesting a reduction of as much as around ₱8 per liter.
Whether that changes the transport groups’ plans remains to be seen.
For now, however, the September 29 and 30 actions remain scheduled.
Transport Strike September 28–30: Quick Summary
MANIBELA began its three-day transport strike on Monday, September 28, and plans to continue until September 30.
PISTON is scheduled to join with a separate nationwide strike on September 29 and 30.
Metro Manila routes that could experience disruptions include Cubao–Marikina–Antipolo, Commonwealth, España, Monumento, Novaliches, Baclaran, Pasig, Taguig, Sucat and Alabang.
Free rides are being deployed by the national government and several Metro Manila LGUs, while authorities are monitoring major transportation hubs and commuter areas.
The biggest disruption could come on Tuesday, September 29, when the MANIBELA and PISTON actions overlap.
For commuters, the best approach is simple: leave earlier than usual, prepare an alternative route, and continue checking official transportation and local government announcements before heading out.
This remains a developing story, and schedules, participating routes, class suspensions and free-ride locations may still change throughout September 28–30.
Last updated: September 28, 2026, around 12:20 PM Philippine time.
