LRT, MRT fare hikes deferred
By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
Fare increases for Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 and LRT-2 were deferred “pending a thorough study on the economic impact” on commuters, on the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Secretary Jaime Bautista announced.
On Tuesday, April 11, briefing, Bautista explained that the DOTr will comply with the President’s instruction and will carefully study the economic repercussions of the increase to passengers of the three major rail lines.
“In compliance with the President’s instruction, we will thoroughly study how a fare hike today will impact on passengers of our three rail lines in Metro Manila,” says the transport chief.
The increase for MRT-3 was likewise deferred “due to infirmities in complying with the requirements and procedure”, he added.
The DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU) endorsed the report favoring the fare increase for LRT lines 1 and 2.
Secretary Bautista chairs the RRU and has the power to deny or approve proposed fare adjustments.
The last approved fare hike for rail lines LRT-2 and MRT-3 was back in 2015.
On the other hand, the LRT-1, which was privatized in 2015, have filed petitions for fare adjustments in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022, all of which were deferred, according to Secretary Bautista,
The Light Rail Manila Corporation, which operates LRT-1, is allowed to apply for fare adjustments “of at least 10.25 percent every two years after the effectivity of the contract”.
The proceeds of the increase would have been used for the technical capability, services and facilities of the two rail lines.
“The fare increase will enable the two rail lines’ [LRT-1 and LRT-2] to improve their services, facilities and technical capabilities,” the DOTr Secretary acknowledged.
“The fare adjustment will help sustain the two commuter rail lines’ affordable mass transport services.”
“The fare adjustment will help sustain the two commuter rail lines’ affordable mass transport services.”