IT has been eight years since the Light Rail Transit’s (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 adjusted its fares, so a train fare adjustment would mean more trains running and passengers being served better.
This was the remark of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Railways Cesar B. Chavez who assured the riding public that the services of the LRT-1 and LRT-2 are “far better and more efficient now.”
In an interview following the DOTr’s announcement that it would adjust train fares, Usec. Chavez said the LRT-1 and LRT-2 deserve a modest fare increase after petitions were denied for the past eight years.
Usec. Chavez bared that the actual rates for end-to-end travel at the LRT-2 from Antipolo to Recto costs P178 per passenger, but only P30 is being charged.
“Therefore, P148 ang indicative subsidy by the government sa bawat mananakay sa bawat sakay dulo sa dulo,” Usec. Chavez said.
The same can be said of the actual cost of end-to-end train rides at the LRT-1, Usec. Chavez said, stressing that LRT-1’s operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has been asking for a fare increase since 2016.
“The LRT-1 operator deserves a modest fare increase now after they were denied of this in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Wala rin fare naganap sa LRT-2,” Usec. Chavez said.
“This approved fare increase is also on the right side of the future of rail system. Kinakailangan igalang ng gobyerno ang pinapasok niyang kasunduan sa private sector, at dapat sensitive din ang gobyerno sa kapakanan ng mamamayan sa pangmatagalang epekto sa sustainability ng rail system,” the rail official added.
DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista approved the implementation of the fare adjustment, which consists of an additional P2.29 boarding fare and P0.21 distance fare per kilometer, from the existing P11.00 boarding fare and P1.00 distance fare.
Usec. Chavez said the approval “is not only necessary, beneficial and practical for both the LRT operators and commuters, but also for the country as well.”
“Let’s make the rail system sustainable to build more and to serve more. Mananatiling bukas at handang makipag-dialogue ang DOTr sa mga mambabatas at ibat-ibang sektor para sa bagay na ito,” he said.
Meanwhile, Usec. Chavez bared that the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is set to re-file its petition for a fare adjustment before the DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU).
It can be recalled that MRT-3’s fare hike petition was deferred due to “infirmities in complying with the requirements and procedure.”
Like the LRT-1 and LRT-2, no fare adjustment was approved the MRT-3 for the last eight years, Usec. Chavez said.
