LRTA revenue hits new high

MANILA, Philippines — The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), has booked its highest revenue from fare collection at P1.27 billion.

Based on data from the LRTA, the agency reset its record revenue to P1.27 billion in 2024 from P1.1 billion in 2023, as LRT-2 saw its ridership close in on the pre-pandemic high.

LRT-2’s passenger volume grew by eight percent to 53.29 million, with the highest monthly ridership recorded in October at 4.87 million.

However, ridership has yet to climb back to the pre-pandemic high of 56.98 million in 2019. The LRT-2 has seen its passenger traffic go upward since 2022 on the resumption of onsite schooling and work.

The LRTA, as a state-run firm, requires as much resources as it can generate to finance its capital expenditures. The agency also receives subsidies from the government to support its projects, but this depends on the availability of funds in a year.

For 2025, the General Appropriations Act allocates P890.33 million in subsidies for the LRTA, the bulk of which at P718.1 million is devoted for LRT-2 maintenance.

On top of this, LRTA administrator Hernando Cabrera said the government has dedicated at least P2 billion to fund the preliminary works on the LRT-2 West Extension Project.

This means the agency can proceed with the development of conceptual design and procurement of right of way for the project that would further extend the LRT-2.

The LRT-2 West Extension Project is estimated to cost P10.12 billion. It aims to add three stops to the west of the Recto Station in Tutuban, Divisoria and Pier 4, and it also seeks to acquire new trains to support future demand.

The LRTA, for its part, is finding ways to raise the funds it needs. Aside from fare collection, the agency offers non-rail services, particularly advertising and leasing, to expand income sources.

For the year, the LRTA demands more than P1 billion to bankroll programs and projects aimed at improving the commuting experience at the LRT-2.

The LRTA expects to spend P321.44 million for maintenance works on the LRT-2 and P211.69 million for the procurement of spare parts, all of which meant to lessen downtime in the LRT-2 for the benefit of commuters.