LRT operator confirms fare hike proposal

Metro Manila, Philippines - A petition seeking to raise fares at the Light Rail Transit (LRT-1) has been filed, the train operator confirmed on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Jackie Gorospe, Light Rail Manila Corporation spokesperson, said the company submitted the petition “as part of the periodic fare adjustments process.”

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) called the fare hike a significant burden for commuters.

The group said the fare hike will mean an average increase of P7.48 per passenger.

“For short distance commuters, the average increase will be P8.65. For medium distance commuters, P6.00 and for long distance commuters P12.50. Pero tanggap naman daw ito ng mga pasahero? (And yet commuters supposedly accept this?),” Renato Reyes, Bayan president said in a post on X.

Bayan said the maximum fare of P45 for a single journey ticket will increase to P60. Maximum rates for stored value tickets, meanwhile, may stand at P58 from P43 for end-to-end trips.

Gorospe said the group’s figures are correct.

“The public hearing scheduled tomorrow (Jan. 9) is for the 2024 fare application we submitted last year. The new fare application is based on an increase from our 2022 fare application submission as provided for by our concession."

“The rates are different from what was approved in 2023 or what we are implementing now as actual LRT-1 fares,” she told NewsWatch Plus.

Bayan called the privatization contract “grossly disadvantageous” to the public.