By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
Photo Courtesy: PhilStar
The Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Rail Regulatory Unit has approved Light Rail Manila Corporation’s (LRMC) petition for a fare hike, establishing the minimum fare for single journey tickets from ?15 to ?20, LRMC announced on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The price hike will take effect on Apr. 2, making end-to-end rides from Fernando Poe Jr. station in Quezon City to Dr. Santos in Parañaque ?55 instead of ?45 for a single journey ticket, and ?52 with stored value cards or Beep cards, from the previous ?43.
Likewise, the fare formula for LRT-1 will be adjusted, with the boarding fee rising from ?13.29 to ?16.25 and the per kilometer increment increasing from ?1.21 to ?1.47.
According to the LRMC, the newly approved fare scheme only matches its initial petition in 2022, stipulated in the concession agreement which states that the operator is permitted to implement fare increases of 10.25 percent every two years, in accordance with an annual five percent rate adjustment due in 2016 initially.
Since 2016, LRMC’s petitions for fare adjustments in 2018, 2020, and 2022 were all deferred until this year.
LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Enrico Benipayo highlighted that public transportation demands ongoing investment for its maintenance, upgrades, and expansion, referencing the DOTr's 2025 approval.
“In the past ten years of operating and maintaining the 40-year-old railway line, this will only be the second time that LRMC has been allowed to implement fare adjustments for LRT-1,” Benipayo stated.
“Countries with world-class transport systems such as Singapore and Japan adjust fares regularly to keep services efficient and safe,” he added.
As of November 2024, the deferred fare hikes from LRMC have led to a fare deficit of approximately ?2.17 billion.
According to LRMC, the fare increase is intended to support the maintenance and enhancement of LRT-1 services, including rail lines, facilities, additional trains, and the construction of LRT-1 Cavite Extension’s second phase.