MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has greenlit a fare hike for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), set to take effect on April 2, 2025.

In a statement, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) President Enrico Benipayo announced that the new fare structure follows approval by the DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU) on February 14.

The revised rates, while higher, are lower than the fares originally requested by LRMC for 2024, aligning instead with the 2022 fare application under the concession agreement.

The new boarding fare will increase to P16.25, with a distance charge of P1.47 per kilometer. As a result, the minimum fare for a single journey will rise to P20 (from P15), with trips from Dr. Santos Station to United Nations Station increasing to P35 (from P30), and from Dr. Santos to Fernando Poe Jr. Station to PHP55 (from P45).

Passengers using the Beep card will enjoy slightly lower fares: P19, P34, and P52, respectively.

Benipayo emphasized that the fare hike is only the second adjustment in the last decade, despite the recent extension of the LRT-1 to Cavite. He noted that continuous investment in service improvements, akin to systems in countries like Singapore and Japan, is necessary to maintain efficient and safe public transport.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on late Thursday (04 Jan 2024) afternoon brushed off apprehension of an impending fare hike due to the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

IBON Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa earlier said fares could hit P45 to P50 in a few years, as transport corporations and cooperatives would need to make enough money to pay off loans for modern jeepney units and other expenses under the government’s PUV Modernization Program.

“Una po sa lahat, wala pong taas-pasahe na mangyayari na hindi po dumadaan sa proseso ng LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board),” Transportation Undersecretary Timothy Batan clarified.

Aside from the IBON Foundation, a commuters’ group on Wednesday (January 3), also earned a possible P50 minimum fare following the implementation of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The minimum jeepney fare is currently at P13.

“Meron tayong malaking cost ng modernization. Hindi lang ito yung unit, kasama rito yung garahe, fees sa paggagawa ng coop, pagha-hire ng mekaniko at marami pang iba,” PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport (AIT) Convenor Edrich Samonte said.

But the DOTr junked all those fears and speculations.

“At ito pong pag-implementa ng ating consolidation deadline ay hindi po inaasahan na magkakaroon ng kaakibat na taas-pasahe ngayon pong panahon na ito,” Batan maintained.

(El Amigo/MNM)