The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has defended the fare increase for Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), scheduled on Wednesday, April 2, despite calls to overturn it due to its impact on commuters.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 1, the DOTr emphasized that the fare adjustment is necessary to ensure the operational viability of the rail line.
It added that this is vital to sustain necessary upgrades for the “benefit of the commuting public.”
LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) announced in February that the DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit has approved its new fare formula.
Starting Wednesday, the minimum fare for single journey tickets will jump from ₱15 to ₱20.
Passengers taking the end-to-end journey, from Fernando Poe Jr. station in Quezon City to Dr. Santos station in Parañaque City, will now be paying ₱55 for a single journey ticket instead of ₱45.
Meanwhile, those using stored value cards will pay ₱52, up from the previous ₱43.
The current fare formula for LRT-1 of ₱13.29 boarding fee and a ₱1.21 increment per kilometer (km) travel will likewise increase to ₱16.25 and ₱1.47, respectively.
The DOTr explained that the new fare matrix is only the second rate increase under LRMC since it took over operations of the rail line in 2015—contrary to its concession agreement.
The agreement stipulates that the operator is entitled to fare hikes of 10.25 percent every two years, which is aligned with the annual five percent rate adjustment that was initially due in 2016.
Aside from 2016, LRMC also filed petitions for fare adjustments in 2018, 2020, and 2022. All of them were deferred.
The DOTr added that the fare hike was “much lower” than LRMC’s initial proposal to raise the minimum fare to ₱25 and the end-to-end journey to ₱60.
Given this “long overdue” adjustment, the agency said it respects the decision of “those who want to file an appeal against the fare adjustment.”
Various transport groups recently appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to overturn the fare increase of LRT-1.
They argued that this imposes a “substantial financial burden” on daily commuters, most of whom are students and workers.
The average ridership of LRT-1 is at 323,000 daily.
Malacañang, in response, said suspending the fare increase may not be possible as it would violate the government’s contract with LRMC.
The DOTr, headed by Secretary Vince Dizon, cited the planned extension of LRT-1 to Cavite as a benefit from the fare hike.
Covering 26 kms of rail line, LRT-1 currently comprises 25 stations.
In November of last year, five stations under phase one of LRT-1 Cavite extension were opened for operations, namely: Redemptorist-Aseana, MIA Road, PITX, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, and Dr. Santos.
Phase two of the extension will be Las Piñas and Zapote stations, with phase three for Niog station in Bacoor, Cavite.