Proposed P25 fare hike for LRT, MRT bucked

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. rejected yesterday the government proposal to raise by P25 the fare for the Light Railway Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) systems.

The senator also called for a Senate inquiry on the state of mass railway services.

Revilla, chairman of the Senate committee on public services, pointed out that the main reason government constructed the mass transit system is to have an efficient, safe and cheaper mode of transportation.

“This is a very sensitive issue that the government must address first before making such a move. Yes, the increase would provide enough money, but that won’t go into improving service but to pay off debts,” Revilla said.

The government should continue its primary role to subsidize the commuting public, which is being done in other countries in the region.

Revilla added that it would even be more difficult for the commuters to accept the fare increases considering the deteriorating reliability of the railway system.

Revilla’s reaction came after the Light Railway Transit Authority (LRTA) approved a fare increase after President Aquino mentioned in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) the need for higher LRT and MRT fares to realign the state subsidy to other social services.

Revilla said subsidizing the commuting public by way of building and maintaining LRT and MRT lines is already part of the government’s social services and should not be compromised.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the government is considering a P10 increase to be implemented in two tranches over two years or P5 each year.

In his SONA, the President said the government is subsidizing LRT and MRT passengers at a rate of P25 and P45 each.

Revilla wants to look into the reported shakedown by MRT officials on a foreign train supplier.

The maximum fare for the MRT, which runs from North Edsa in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City is P15, while a passenger bus ride covering the same distance costs at least P20. 

Fares for the LRT, which runs from Roosevelt Ave. in Quezon City to Baclaran in Parañaque ranges from P12 to P20 depending on the distance covered.

The average daily commuter volume at MRT stands at 500,000, breaching the service’s capacity of 350,000 a day. For LRT1 and LRT2, the average daily commuter volume reaches more than 400,000 and 200,000, respectively.