Fares at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 1 and the LRT-2 will increase starting August 2 , according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Meanwhile, operators of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 3 will also seek a fare adjustment.
In a statement, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the DOTr has secured the approval to implement the fare adjustment at the LRT-1 and LRT-2 that was deferred by Malacañang last April.
The boarding fee will increase by P2.29, with an additional 21 centavos for every kilometer.
With this, LRT-1 and LRT-2’s minimum boarding fees will increase to P13.29 from P11, plus P1.21 per kilometer for every kilometer traveled from the original P1 per km.
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) are set to publish the approved fare adjustments in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Rail Regulatory Unit.
“After which, 30 days after the last publication date (July 3) will be the collection date — August 2,” said Jorjette Aquino, DOTr assistant secretary for railways.
Aquino said the fare adjustment is set to enhance the services, amenities and technical capacities of the LRT-1 and LRT-2 in line with the government’s agenda to improve public transport infrastructure.
“We are aiming to make our rail services more accessible, convenient, and efficient for commuters,” she added. “We at the DOTr believe that this fare adjustment will contribute to maintaining affordable mass transportation services for the two commuter-train lines.”
With the fare adjustment, Aquino said the LRTA is eyeing to allocate about P110 million, which accounts for 97 percent of the projected P114 million additional rail revenues, for maintenance, operating expenses, and the much-needed repair and upkeep of crucial rail systems and facilities.
This will improve the turnaround time of equipment and ensure timely preventive maintenance activities for optimal performance, she added.
In a press briefing, Oscar Bongon, MRT-3 director for operations, said the rail system’s management will also file a petition to increase fares at the rail line in the next two weeks.
The petition for fare hike will be similar to the LRT-1 and LRT 2, said Bongon.
On June 13, Bautista met with Hernando Cabrera, LRTA administrator, and Juan Alfonso, LRMC president and chief executive officer, to inform them of the decision to implement the approved fare increase, following the green light given during the meeting on June 6 in Malacañang. – Myla Iglesias
