LRT fares up starting August 2

MANILA, Philippines — Beginning tomorrow, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 will increase fares, with commuters having to pay an additional P5 for an end-to-end trip.

“We are determined to give people back their time through efficient transport and put more value to every single peso that passengers spend for every LRT-1 ride,” Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) chief operating officer Rolando Paulino III said.

The LRMC, operator of the LRT-1, said proceeds from the fare adjustment would be used to enhance passenger experience.

Paulino said the firm had completed several projects, from increasing the number of trains to renovating and upgrading the LRT-1 stations.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), operator of the LRT-2, said proceeds from the fare hike would be allocated for the improvement of rail facilities and services.

LRT-1 commuters using stored value cards (SVCs) will pay a minimum fare of P14 and a maximum fare of P35, from P12 and P30, respectively.

Passengers buying single journey tickets will shell out a minimum of P15 and a maximum of P35 for their train rides. SJTs cost only P12 to P30 prior to the fare hike.

LRT-2 commuters using SVCs will be charged a minimum fare of P14 and a maximum fare of P33, from P12 and P28, respectively.

SJTs will be kept at the base rate of P15 but will be raised to P35, from P30, for end-to-end trips.

The LRTA said the 20 percent discount remains for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and students.

It has been eight years since train rates have increased, according to the LRTA.

The Department of Transportation approved the fare increases for the LRT-1 and LRT-2 in April, but President Marcos gave his go-signal only in June due to inflation concerns.

The LRMC is expanding the LRT-1 all the way to Cavite. The project was initially estimated to cost P64.92 billion, but the company spent an additional P4 billion due to construction delays caused by pandemic restrictions.