No MRT-3 sale, no fare hike at LRT-2

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is not up for sale and there would be no fare increase in the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), officials said yesterday.

There were reports that the government planned to privatize the MRT-3’s operations and assets as it can no longer afford to spend P9 billion a year to maintain the rail line.

However, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued a clarification, saying “it is considering the possibility of turning over the operations and maintenance of MRT-3 to qualified private sector operators towards improving its operational efficiency.”

The government continues to subsidize a portion of the fares charged by the MRT-3, LRT-2 and LRT-1 “to keep fare levels affordable,” the DOTr added.

“Railway systems should remain the most affordable and safest mode of mass transit in the country,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a statement.

The MRT-3 fare ranges from P13 to P28, with discounts for senior citizens, students and persons with disability.Those using stored-value tickets enjoy fares lower than single-journey tickets.

“We are looking at partnering with private rail operators for MRT 3’s operations and maintenance – under the same scheme with LRT-1 – with the rail line’s assets remaining government-owned,” Bautista said.

Meanwhile, LRT-2 operator Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) does not see any fare increase in the near future.

“No fare increase. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month,” LRTA administrator Hernando Cabrera said.

 He noted that under the concession agreement with Light Rail Manila Corp., private operator of LRT-1, the latter has repeatedly asked for a fare increase every two years since 2016 as indicated in their agreement. However, the petition has not pushed through.

Petitions for a fare hike should also undergo processes such as approval by the LRTA board, public hearings and consultation with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Cabrera added.

He said the LRTA increased ticket prices at the LRT-2 in 2015, along with other government-owned rail lines.

Train rides at the LRT-2 cost between P15 and P30 for single-journey tickets, depending on the destination, while stored-value tickets range from P12 to P28.