Letranites raise concerns as LRT-1 operator eyes for another fare hike

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Students from Letran Senior High School (LSHS) who commute using the LRT Line 1 express reservations as the rail transit's operator, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), filed a petition for a fare increase before the Department of Transportation (DOTr) last January 9.

Joschka Chua, a student from STEM11E, said that while the operator's concern involves higher budgets, commuters will likely disagree with the move.

"I think the main concern for the increase is the higher pay for production costs and system upgrades. Many probably won't be able to accept it since they won't have much of a choice. As for most, commuting is their only way of transport,” Chua explained.

Under the LRMC's petition, it has asked DOTr to allow for an increase of the transit's base fare by up to P15.

According to the corporation, the petition is based on the provision of the 2015 Concession Agreement signed during the line’s privatization which allows its operator to request a fare increase every two years. 

The current fare for a single-journey trip from Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) station to Dr. Santos station costs ₱45. 

Should the proposed fare hike be approved, single-journey end-to-end tickets will now cost ₱60 while stored value cards would also increase from ₱43 to ₱58.

"As someone na taga-south and mas nagre-rely na sa LRT-1 as mode of transportation, syempre ‘di talaga pabor sa akin lalo na't mag-aaral pa lang ako,” Reinselle Moaje, a student from STEM12B, stated in a separate interview.

Meanwhile, LRMC stated that the petition is in exchange for the improvements they have made to the system and service of the rail transit for the last 9 years.

“While it is aware that an increase may be significant for some of its passengers, however, we believe that passengers understand and accept fare increases in exchange for improvements in the system and service,” in a statement by the LRMC.

In connection with this, the DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit has thirty days to evaluate and decide on the petition of the LRMC. 

If approved, the fare hike on the rail transit will likely take effect by the second quarter of the year.