Commuters complain over fare hike sans MRT improvements

MANILA, Philippines — Commuters greeted by the Metro Rail Transit and the Light Rail Transit systems' fare increases on Monday demanded an improvement in rail facilities and services.

The new fare matrix with rates for train rides by up to 78 percent was implemented on Sunday, prompting passengers—among whom are workers and students—to adjust their transportation budget.

so sa 1 week 200 petot na agad ang gagastsin ko sa mrt pa lang yun? :| wala pa yung ibang gagastusin ko na pamasahe :( huhu.

— Wag jean (@jpierre_22) January 5, 2015

Totoo pala ang chismis! ito na mararamdaman ko na ang pagtaas ng pamasahe sa MRT! #PakyuMRT! wala namang pinagbago!

— Felix Del Rosario (@fexdr) January 5, 2015

Militant groups launched the social media campaign #StrikeTheHike in protest of the new fares by posting selfies inside the train.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya had said that the estimated P1 billion additional income collected from the increased fare will serve as payment to the private MRT Corporation.

MRT Line 3 Proposed Single Journey AND Stored Value Ticket Fare Matrix (subject to public consultation) pic.twitter.com/FaL5PRRIp9

— DOTC (@DOTCPhilippines) December 12, 2013

He also vowed that the added collection will fund rehabilitation of the train system beset with technical malfunctions and glitches, which resulted in injuries the past year.

Sen. Grace Poe Llamanzares, meanwhile, knocked the Department of Transportation and Communication's move as a betrayal of Congress, which approved P7.5 billion for rail system improvements this year.

"Parang patraydor and kanilang galaw," Poe, who tried riding the MRT during rush hour in August.

"Bakit humingi pa sila sa Kongreso ng mga iba't ibang subsidy? Sana sinabi na nila sa amin noon na may plano silang magtaas ng pamasahe," Poe added.