MANILA, Philippines — Commuters face an increase of P2.29 in the minimum fare for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2 beginning on Aug. 2.
A petition for the same fare hike rate for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is set for re-filing in two weeks.
In a statement yesterday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the minimum boarding fee for LRT-1 and LRT-2 would be raised to P13.29 from P11, and P1.21 per kilometer from the current P1 per kilometer.
The fare adjustments would take effect after publication in a newspaper of general circulation on June 19, June 26 and July 3. The last LRT fare increase was implemented in 2015.
DOTr Assistant Secretary Jorjette Aquino said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista approved the implementation of the fare adjustment following a Cabinet meeting at Malacañang on June 6.
Last April, President Marcos ordered the deferment of the LRT 1 and 2 fare increase due to rising inflation.
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the headline inflation rate slowed down to 6.1 percent in May from 6.6 percent in April due to slower increases in transport and food prices.
The May inflation is the lowest since the 5.4 percent in the same month last year.
Aquino said the fare adjustment would enhance the services, amenities and technical capacities of the LRT-1 and LRT-2 as the government aims to improve the public transport infrastructure.
She said the government wants to make rail services more accessible, convenient and efficient for commuters.
“We at the DOTr believe that this fare adjustment will contribute to maintaining affordable mass transportation services for the two commuter train lines,” she said.
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) plans to allocate P110 million – which accounts for 97 percent of the projected additional rail revenues of P114 million – for maintenance and other operating expenses, as well as for crucial repairs and upkeep of rail systems and facilities.
The measures aim to improve turnaround time and ensure timely preventive maintenance activities for optimal performance, Aquino said.
At a briefing, MRT-3 director for operations Oscar Bongon said they would re-file their fair hike petition in two weeks.
“In the next two weeks, we will re-file and thereafter, the process will be followed until such time that full approval is given by the secretary through RRU (Rail Regulatory Unit),” he said in Filipino and English.
Meanwhile, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) slammed the DOTr’s approval of fare hike for LRT 1 and 2, saying President Marcos himself had ordered a deferral of any upward adjustment due to rising inflation.
“Why implement the fare hike when the President said the increase should be deferred? Does this mean the President has flipflopped on the issue?” the group said.
It added that the raising of fares would burden the people.
“So the official policy is really to raise fares and burden the people. That much is clear now. The policy is truly insensitive to the plight of the Filipino commuters,” it added. Bayan also called on Marcos to speak out on the issue.
“The DOTr has not provided us by email or by any electronic means its resolution on the fare hike. We have not been furnished a copy of the NEDA opinion on the fair hike,” it said. NEDA is the National Economic and Development Authority.
“Where are the commuters in all of this? It seems they are not important or have no real say,” it added. — Ralph Edwin Villanueva