LRT-1 files petition for another fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — Commuters will have to pay as much as P60 to ride the Light Rail Transit Line 1 from Roosevelt, Quezon  City to Parañaque if the government approves the proposed fare increase filed by the LRT-1 operator.

In a petition submitted to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) sought to increase both the boarding and distance fares of the LRT-1.

LRMC spokesperson Jacqueline Gorospe said the LRT-1 operator is asking the DOTr to raise the boarding fare to P18.15 and distance fare to P1.65 for every kilometer, to cover the periodic increase in 2024.

Under the concession with the government, the LRMC is allowed to adjust LRT-1 fares once every two years.

The last time the LRT-1 increased fares was in 2023. The LRMC has since implemented several upgrades, including the opening of five new stations.

If the DOTr approves the fare hike petition, commuters will pay an average increase of P6.02 for mid-distance travel, which spans five to 16 kilometers.

Fares will go up by P8.65 for short distance (less than five kilometers) and by P12.50 for long distance (more than 16 kilometers).

If the proposed matrix is applied, a single journey trip throughout the LRT-1 would increase to P60 from P45, prompting protests from militant groups such as Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said an increase of P10 per trip on the LRT-1 would equate to a P20 increase in transport costs per day for a commuter.

When combined, the fare would balloon to as much as P100 per week and P400 per month, Reyes said.

“This is an added financial burden for low-income workers,” he said.

Reyes said the concession entered into by the government with LRMC “is disadvantageous to commuters.”

He said the agreement guarantees periodic adjustments in favor of LRMC, with or without improvements made to the LRT-1.

“The private operator of LRT-1 is citing improved services and claims that the fare hike is accepted by the commuters. Whether there are improvements or not, the LRMC claims that it is entitled to implement a fare hike,” Reyes said.

However, the DOTr rejected proposed fare increases in 2016, 2018 and 2020, compelling LRMC to file an arbitration case and demand P2.67 billion in compensation.

The DOTr is set to conduct a public hearing today to discuss with stakeholders the proposed fare hike for LRT-1.