The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) has urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to halt the fare hike for Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) that is set to take effect on 2 April. The increase will raise the minimum fare from P15 to P20 for a single journey ticket.
In a statement on Friday, IOHSAD said the fare hike “will add yet another financial burden on Filipino workers already struggling with the rising cost of living.”
“LRT-1 serves as a primary mode of transportation for many minimum wage earners, who are already earning far below what is needed for a decent standard of living,” the group stated.
Citing estimates from IBON Foundation, IOHSAD pointed out that the daily minimum wage of P645 in Metro Manila “falls short of the P1,227 family living wage.”
The study estimated that monthly transportation expenses reach P1,511, which will increase with the fare hike, making it even harder for workers to afford basic necessities.
In addition to the economic concerns, IOHSAD highlighted the potential health impact of higher transportation costs.
According to the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, accessible and affordable public transportation plays a key role in reducing road accidents, lowering pollution emissions, improving physical and mental well-being, and ensuring that workers and low-income families can access essential services like healthcare and nutritious food.
“The fare hike does nothing to support Filipino workers and low-income households. Instead, it will only benefit private corporations at the expense of the commuting public,” IOHSAD said. “Public transportation is not a business. It is a basic service that must remain affordable and accessible to all.”
The group urged the government to prioritize wage increases instead of fare hikes and called for a moratorium on fare and basic service fee increases.
“Instead of approving measures that deepen our economic hardship, the government should focus on developing an affordable, efficient public mass transportation system, one that is not tied to onerous deals with private corporations,” IOHSAD said.