Extension of the Light Rail Transit line 1 (LRT-1) up to Sucat could be done by 2021 if the issue of right of way (ROW) is resolved by May 2019, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) operator of the line said on Tuesday.
LRMC president Juan Alfonso said they are just waiting for needed documents in order to start with the line’s extension.
“The extension of LRT1 to Sucat could start serving riders by the end of 2021 if work on site starts by February 2019, and the right of way is free and clear by May 2019,” he said.
Once extended, LRT-1 passengers will arrive at the line’s Sucat, Parañaque station from Baclaran in just 15 minutes, Alfonso said.
Alfonso added that the delay in the approval of their petition for a fare increase is also hampering the start of the LRT-1’s line extension.
“We are just waiting for the complete ROW and government approvals especially on the delayed increase in our fares from around an average of P20 to around P25 depending on the distance traveled, which is basically the same as bus fares,” Alfonso said in a statement.
“The banks want to make sure we can repay them and the only way this can be attained is for us to be able to earn enough through higher fares,” he added.
Alfonso earlier insisted that the P5 fare increase would be used for the line extension.
READ: LRMC: Fare hike to be used for LRT-1 extension
Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes earlier said the LRMC plan was “unfair” to commuters.
READ: LRT fare hike ‘unfair’ to commuters — Bayan
Alfonso however said that it would be unfair for the general taxpayers to shoulder the expenses of the line’s extension.
“Under the contract, if the fare is not adjusted, the government will pay LRMC instead, which means the taxpayers including the salaried workers in Visayas and Mindanao, not the riders themselves, will be paying,” Alfonso said. /muf