LRT-1 OPERATOR EYES FARE HIKE, DOTR TO DECIDE IN 30 DAYS

LRT-1 operator and maintenance provider seeks to increase the fares by P1.65 per kilometer distance, up from P43 and P60 for single journey tickets (Photo courtesy of Philippine Star)

Commuters using the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) may face higher fares as Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), its private operator, filed a petition seeking another round of fare hikes. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it will come up with a decision on the petition in 30 days.

LRMC confirmed it has filed a fare hike adjustment petition as outlined in its concession agreement with the government saying that the petition is part of the LRT-1's “periodic fare adjustments process.”

Based on the fare hike petition filed by LRMC, train rides at the 40-year-old railway system would increase by an average of P7.48 per passenger. The current base fare for LRT1 is at P13.29 boarding fee and a P1.21 increment per kilometer travel, which was approved by the DOTr in 2023.

LRMC said the average fare increase would be P7.48 for LRT-1 passengers who travel an average distance of 7.16 kilometers. Mid-distance passengers that travel more than five kilometers to 16 kilometers would pay an average of P6.02 more, while short-distance passengers would see their fares increase by P8.65.

If the petition should be approved, the maximum fare of P45 for a single journey end-to-trip is seen to increase to P60.

“While [LRMC] has no obligation to justify contractual fare adjustments under the Concession Agreement, it wishes to point out, on a without prejudice basis, that it while it is aware that a P4.864 increase may be significant for some of its passengers, however, petitioner [LRMC] believes that passengers understand and accept fare increases in exchange for improvements in the system and service,” the company said in its petition.

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU) held a public hearing on Thursday, January 9, 2025 to hear comments from various stakeholders concerning LRMC’s petition.

Transportation Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino said that the DOTr-RRU has a maximum of 30 days from the day of public hearing to evaluate and make a decision on the fare hike petition.

The DOTr earlier said that the government needs to redesign the LRT-1 Cavite extension to resolve a project conflict involving right-of-way (ROW), to make way for a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the train extension could no longer run on its original alignment as the DPWH constructed a flyover in a segment where the railway was supposed to be built.

Source: Philippine News Agency

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