LRT-1 fare hike takes effect today

MANILA, Philippines, April 2 ------ The Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) fare hike will be effective starting today, amid calls to suspend it. The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) announced last February 18 that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) approved the petition for fare increase. 

The maximum fare for a single journey ticket will increase from P45 to P55, while the minimum fare will rise from P15 to P20. The maximum fare for a stored value card will increase from P43 to P52, while the minimum fare will rise from P15 to P16. 

On Monday, the Palace said the suspension of the LRT-1 fare hike would not be possible as it may violate the existing contract with the railway’s operator. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the fare increase had long been pushed back for the commuters. On Tuesday, the DOTr said in a statement that while it respects decisions to file an appeal against the fare hike, the initiative is “long overdue and is necessary to ensure the operational viability of the rail line and sustain its necessary upgrades for the benefit of the commuting public.” It added that the fare increase is necessary for “the extension of the line all the way to Cavite under the present PPP (Public-Private Partnership) contract.” 

Source: inquirer.net