DOTr approval of LRT1 fare hike still hangs

Plans to increase fares for Line 1 of the Light Rail Transit (LRT 1) might not push through this August as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has yet to conduct a public hearing on the matter.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Wednesday said his agency had yet to approve Light Rail Management Corp.’s (LRMC) petition for a P5 to P7 fare increase.

“[We] haven’t agreed to it yet (because there must be) a consultation first,” Tugade said in a press conference.

The LRMC filed a fare hike petition in March, citing the need to maintain the quality of its service and recoup some P8 billion in improvement costs incurred since 2014.

Under its concession agreement with the government, LRMC will run and maintain the existing LRT 1 and construct a P65-billion, 11.7-km extension from Baclaran, Parañaque City, to Bacoor, Cavite province.

It also allows LRMC to request an automatic fare adjustment every two years. —Krixia Subingsubing