LRT says fare increase ‘will go through proper process’

FILE PHOTO: An LRT-1 train approaches Balintawak station. Image from LRMC.

MANILA, Philippines — The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on Thursday explained that the increase in their train fare will still undergo the “proper process,” noting that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) approval is only “in the nature of” it being a member of their board and not as a regulator.

The LRTA pointed out that the LTFRB is only one of the nine LRTA board members, who should approve the train fare hike proposal.

“The Light Rail Transit Authority would like to clarify that the matter of the fare increase will go through [the] proper process. The approval of the LTFRB on the subject fare increase is in the nature of the said agency being a Member of the LRTA Board of Directors, and not in the nature of a regulatory body,” the LRTA said in a statement.

READ: LTFRB approves LRT fare hike

“The fare increase must be approved by the LRTA Board of Directors and must likewise pass through a required regulatory process which includes public consultation/hearing,” it added.

Aside from LRTA and LTFRB officials, other members of the LRTA Board of Directors are officials from the Department Of Transportation, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Metro Manila Development Authority.

So far, those who have signed the document proposing an increase in the LRT train fare are LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera, LRTA Acting Corporate Board Secretary Partick Villanueva, LRTA Board Director Dimapuno Datu (from the private sector), and LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III.

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