INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday announced Line 1 and Line 2 of Light Rail Transit (LRT) will implement a fare increase effective August 2.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista approved the fare adjustment after a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang on June 6.
On June 13, he informed Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) about the fare hike.
“With this, the LRT-1 and LRT-2’s minimum boarding fee would be adjusted to P13.29 (originally P11), and P1.21 per kilometer for every kilometer traveled (originally P1 per kilometer),” DOTr said.
DOTr Assistant Secretary Jorjette Aquino said the new rate “is set to enhance the services, amenities, and technical capacities of the LRT-1 and LRT-2, in line with the government’s agenda to improve public transport infrastructure.”
LRTA proposes to spend P110 million or 97 percent of the projected P144 million additional revenues for rail system maintenance and other operational needs.
On April 11, DOTr raised LRT lines 1 and 2’s boarding and distance fares by P2.29 and P0.21, respectively.
The fare hike was postponed “pending a thorough study on the economic impact,” according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
RELATED STORIES:
DOTr approves fare hikes for LRT lines 1 and 2 but defers implementation
LRT says fare increase ‘will go through proper process’