Solon hopes LRT fare hike deferment stays ‘until our situation gets better’

FILE PHOTO: Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman. Photo from Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman has lauded the deferment of fare increases for Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 and hopes it stays “until our situation gets better.”

According to Roman, the postponement of LRT 1 and 2 fare hikes is a “great relief” for commuters, especially parents who may be able to save some cash for next school year’s expenses.

It was announced early this year that LRT Line 1 and Line 2 would get fare increments of P2.29 for the boarding fares and P0.21 for the distance fare.  The Department of Transportation (DOTr) approved the move but deferred its implementation as per President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instruction.

“It would be a great relief for the daily commuting public of LRT 1 and 2 because they can save some money for their children’s education and other increasing expenses for the next school year,” said Roman, chair of the House committee on women and gender equality.

“Hopefully, fare increases will be put on hold until our situation gets better,” she added.

According to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, a thorough study of the fare hike’s economic impact is needed before adjustments are implemented.

But Roman claimed raising fares amid the current economic situation might not be a good idea.

“It is not appropriate to raise fares in mass transport systems like LRT 1 and 2 because it would only add burdens to the daily budget of the commuting public, especially those who are only earning minimum wage considering the current prices of basic commodities and services,” she said.

“Bago isapubliko ang mga bagay na lubhang makaaapekto sa nakararami ay dapat na siguraduhin na munang mabuti para hindi na makadagdag sa mga dati nang isipin ng mamamayan dahil na rin sa kondisyon ng pamumuhay natin ngayon,” she added.

(Before publicizing things that would significantly affect many people, we must ensure that this would not put an additional burden on the already pressing concerns of families brought by the living conditions today.)

Currently, for LRT-1 commuters using stored value cards or cards that can be reused and reloaded, the base fare is P11, with the cheapest trip — Baclaran Station to EDSA — costing a commuter P12.  For single-journey card users, the cheapest available ticket is P15.

While the minimum value of single journey tickets would remain at P15 if the fare hikes were implemented, the base fare would be P13.29, and the distance fare would go up to P1.21 per kilometer.  This means that the minimum cost of a trip within LRT-1 would be P15, and the maximum at P35.

READ: Higher MRT, LRT fare looms

Similarly, for LRT-2, the shortest trip would now cost P14 on the stored value tickets, while the maximum fare would be P33.  Single-journey users can purchase tickets with a minimum fare of P15 and a maximum of P35.

This means a trip from Recto Station to Legarda would cost P14 on the stored value ticket — up from P12, while a stored value trip from Recto to Masinag in Antipolo would cost P33, from just P28 if the fare adjustments are implemented.

READ: LTFRB approves LRT fare hike

Roman warned transport authorities that such fare hikes would have far-reaching effects.

“Fare hike affects most of our community, from students to the working class. Respective agencies should be very careful in implementing these changes and see if it is fair and just to the commuting public,” she said.

kga/abc