Affordability, inflation to be considered in LRT 1 fare adjustment

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will consider critical factors such as affordability and inflation in deciding on the petition of private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) to adjust LRT-1 ticket prices, according to a transport official.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino said the agency’s Railway and Regulatory Unit (RRU) will take into serious consideration not only the position of various groups but also other factors on whether or not to approve the fare hike request.

“We also consider ‘yung affordability, inflation, price indexes so isa ‘yun sa ating mga titingnan. We have to evaluate as a whole,” Asec. Aquino said on the sidelines of the public hearing on LRT-1 fare adjustments.

The LRMC has petitioned to increase boarding fare to P18.15 from the current boarding fare of P13.29.  The concessionaire also requested P1.65 or a total of P10.40 distance fare from the existing distance fare of P1.21.

Meanwhile, the LRT-1 fare adjustments petition for end to end trip from Fernando Poe Jr. Station in Quezon City to Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque City and vice versa is from P45 to P60 for single journey ticket, and from P43 to P58 for stored value cards.

Asec. Aquino said the RRU is given a maximum of 30 days to evaluate, recommend, and decide on the petition.

If approved, the fare adjustment will take effect 30 days from the last day of publication, according to Asec. Aquino.

“End of March to April kung approved. Pero kung hindi magiging favorable, it ends after 30 days,” she said.

The LRMC cited the benefits of reduced travel time, shortened headway, improved facilities, and the Cavite Extension since they took over the operations of the rail line in 2014.

“To be able to build and complete the extension, we really need the support of the government either fare increase and of course payment of fare deficit,” LRMC President and CEO Enrico Benipayo said.

The periodic fare adjustment process for LRT-1 is stipulated in the DOTr’s Concession Agreement with LRMC as private operator of the country’s first elevated rail system.