LRT-2 Antipolo Station (File photo)
MANILA – Rail lines LRT-1 and LRT-2 are set to implement a fare increase starting Aug. 2, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday.
In a statement, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino said the fare adjustment would improve the services, amenities and technical capacities of the LRT-1 and LRT-2.
“We at the Department of Transportation believe that this fare adjustment will contribute to maintaining affordable mass transportation services for the two commuter-train lines,” she added.
With the fare adjustment, Aquino said the LRTA is eyeing to allocate about PHP110 million, which accounts for 97 percent of the projected PHP114 million additional rail revenues, for maintenance, operating expenses, and the repair and upkeep of crucial rail systems and facilities.
This will improve the turnaround time of equipment and ensure timely preventive maintenance activities for optimal performance, the rail official said.
The DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit had previously approved the petitions seeking to increase the train boarding fee by PHP2.29 with an additional 21 centavos for every kilometer travelled at the LRT-1 and LRT-2.
With this, the LRT-1 and LRT-2’s minimum boarding fee would be adjusted to PHP13.29 (originally PHP11) and PHP1.21 per kilometer for every kilometer travelled (originally PHP1 per kilometer).
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista approved the implementation of the approved fare adjustment following a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang on June 6, Aquino said.
On June 13, Bautista met with Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Hernando Cabrera and Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Juan Alfonso to inform them of the decision to implement the approved fare increase.
The LRTA and LRMC are set to publish the approved fare adjustments in at least one newspaper of general circulation for three consecutive weeks on June 19, June 26 and July 3.
“After which, 30 days after the last publication date will be the collection date -- August 2,” Aquino said.
The LRT-1 runs from Baclaran in Parañaque City to Bago Bantay, Quezon City (Roosevelt); and LRT-2 from Recto in Manila to Antipolo City in Rizal. (PNA)
