LRT-1 fare hike scheduled for April

Metro Manila, Philippines - Commuters taking the Light Rail Transit (LRT-1) would have to pay more beginning April 2, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) announced on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

The train operator said single journey tickets would cost P20 from P15, with maximum fare set at P55 from P45.

Stored-value cards would cost P16 to P52.

In a statement, the LRMC said the fare hike was even lower than its petition submitted last year.

“(The fare adjustment) is only equal to the 2022 LRMC application as provided for in the concession agreement. This is just the second time that LRMC has been granted fare adjustment during the last 10 years despite its recent opening of the Cavite extension,” it said.

The train operator said the Department of Transportation approved the boarding fare at P16.25 and a distance fare of P1.47 per kilometer.

The fare hike public hearing was held in January.

Meanwhile, transport advocates slammed the burden on commuters.

“Lantaran itong atake sa mga manggagawa at maralitang Pilipino na patuloy na naghihigpit ng sinturon sa gitna ng lumalalang krisis ng mataas na gastusin at mababang sahod sa bansa,” said Mody Floranda, PISTON president and senatorial candidate.

[Translation: This is a direct attack on labor workers and the poor who suffer from the crisis of high price of goods and low wage.]

Kabataan party-list, which represents the youth sector, echoed the concerns of students.

“Nauna pang maging bente pesos ang minimum na pamasahe sa tren kaysa presyo ng bigas. Kawawa po ang mga estudyanteng commuter lalo sa U-belt area wala namang ibang choice,” said Kabataan first nominee Renee Louise Co.

[Translation: Higher train fares rose to P20 ahead of rice becoming cheaper. Pity the student commuters, especially in the university belt area who have no other choice.]

The train operator said it is committed to “putting more value to every single peso that passengers spend for every LRT-1 ride.”