DoTr: LRT-1 fare hike needed for operations, expansion
Passengers of the LRT-1 wait for the train to continue its journey after stopping at one of its stations in Manila on Wednesday. The LRT-1 management announced that it will be extending its weekday operations.
Photograph by aram lascano for the daily tribune
Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Vince Dizon defended the approval of the LRT-1 fare hike, saying it is necessary to improve operations and extend the train line to Bacoor, Cavite.
"'Yung private operator, 'yung Metro Pacific, ay medyo naghihikahos na rin ho kasi pinapa-extend ho natin ang LRT-1 hanggang Cavite (The private operator, Metro Pacific, is also struggling because we are pushing to extend LRT-1 to Cavite,)" Dizon said in a radio interview on Tuesday.
His remarks came after various civil society groups — including Bayan president Renato Reyes Jr. and Makabayan senatorial candidates Jerome Adonis of KMU, Mody Floranda of PISTON, Mimi Doringo of Kadamay, Mhing Gomez of Anakbayan, and Nanoy Rafael of commuter group PARA — submitted an appeal to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday, challenging the DoTr's approval of the fare hike in hopes of reversing the decision.
Starting 2 April, passengers riding the LRT-1 will see fare increases ranging from P20 to P55, an adjustment of P5 to P10 from previous rates.
While acknowledging the financial struggles of Filipinos, Dizon warned that failing to implement the fare hike could cause further delays in the train line’s extension.
"Alam ko medyo mahirap po ngayon ang kalagayan ng mga kababayan natin. Pero para ma-extend natin ang LRT-1 at tuloy-tuloy na maganda ang serbisyo nito, ay kailangan lunukin na ito (I know times are tough for our fellow citizens, but for us to extend LRT-1 and maintain good service, this fare hike is something we have to accept,)" he said.
He also emphasized that the last fare increase for LRT-1 was implemented years ago, making the adjustment necessary to sustain operations and fund the expansion.
Meanwhile, Malacañang clarified on Monday that the government has limited options to halt the fare hike.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro explained that suspending the fare increase could violate the government’s contract with the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), citing a provision in the 2014 Concession Agreement that entitles LRMC to a 10.25 percent fare hike every two years.