Tugade: Fare hike, construction of LRT-1 extension are ‘separate matters’
MANILA, Philippines — The construction of the Light Rail Transit line 1 (LRT-1) extension is not a necessary condition for the government to implement a fare hike on the said line.
According to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, the fare increase and LRT-1 extension are two different matters that should be taken separately.
“You should consider these matters as separately. Hindi naman ho tamang sabihin na hindi tayo magkakaroon ng extension kung walang fare increase, itutuloy po ‘yan sa sariling pondo,” Tugade said in a chance interview after the program that marked the start of the construction for the Cavite extension.
“That is not a condition necessary for us to be able to continue the expansion of LRT1,” he added.
The statement of Tugade came after several officials from various transportation departments gathered for the start of the construction of the LRT-1 Cavite extension.
Following the construction, the LRT-1 will have these additional stations after Baclaran: Aseana, MIA, Asiaworld, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote, and then Niog, Cavite.
The total length of the extension is 11.7 kilometers while operations for the first five stations is target to open by the end of 2021.
READ: Construction of LRT-1 Cavite extension begins
Despite the ongoing construction, Tugade said that the petition for the fare hike remains pending before the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) board.
“Ang petition nananatiling petition pa rin, wala pang desisyon. Ang desisyon niyan ay nasa LRTA board, nandoon po ang inter-agency board,” Tugade said.
“Hanggang walang desisyon ang board, ang inter-agency board. Wala pong increases. Anong estado? Pinag-uuspaan pa,” he added. /je
