After the Light Rail Transit fare adjustment this year, commuters riding the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 or MRT-3 may have to shell out additional fares in their daily expenses by next year as regulators prepare to approve a pending petition.

In an interview with reporters, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency is currently studying the proposed imminent fare hike to ensure that its approval will not adversely hurt the pockets of daily passengers.

"The MRT-3 fare hike will push through but not now. We are still reviewing it so it will likely happen by next year," Bautista said.

Bautista also cited that the MRT-3 fare hike was slightly delayed compared to the LRT line fare increase since it is still subsidized by the government.

To recall, in July this year, the MRT-3 Management refiled its fare hike petition, which asked for the minimum fare to increase to about P16 from the current P13 while the maximum fare, on the other hand, will increase to roughly P34 from the current P28 if the petition is approved.

Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez previously said that the fare adjustment will allow operators to improve the services, amenities, and technical capacities of the train lines.

"This approved fare increase is also on the right side of the future of the rail system. The government must respect the agreement it entered into with the private sector, and the government must also be sensitive to the welfare of the people in the long-term impact on the sustainability of the rail system," Chavez said.

Previously, the MRT-3's fare hike petition was deferred due to "infirmities in complying with the requirements and procedure." Additionally, no fare adjustment was approved for the MRT-3 for the last eight years.

Last August, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the fare adjustments for both LRT-1 and LRT-2 lines, citing the improving employment figures and easing headline inflation rates, which he said would allow passengers to cope with the fare increase.

LRT-1 and LRT-2 minimum boarding fees increased to P13.29 from P11, with an additional P1.21/km traveled from P1/km.