LTFRB approves LRT fare hike

The Light Railway Transit 1 (LRT1) Monumento Station in Caloocan City on June 1, 2020, when it resumes operation under General Community Quarantine. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday approved a resolution from the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), increasing its boarding fare by P2.29 and distance fare by 21 cents.

However, LTFRB told INQUIRER.net that its approval of the resolution doesn’t mean the fare hike is already set for implementation.

As of writing, the resolution is still awaiting approval from several board members, including the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways.

Once approved, the boarding fare will become P13.29, while the distance fare will increase to P1.21 per kilometer both in LRT-1 and LRT-2.

The current boarding fare and distance — P11, and P1 — have been the current rates for both train systems since 2015.

So far, only the LTFRB, through chief Teofilo Guadiz III, acting LRTA administrator Hernando Cabrera, and board members Dimapuno Datu and Patrick Villanueva, signed the proposal.

The DOTr, in March last year, assured the public that it would not grant the railway’s private operator’s fare hike request amid increasing consumer prices.

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JPV