MRT, LRT fare hike likely next year

Metro Rail Transit. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Passengers of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit may have to dig deeper into their pockets next year to get their rides.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas on Thursday said that fare for both train systems will increase when they finally reduce the government subsidy, as earlier planned. He said that other projects by the Department of Transportation and Communications might be facing neglect just to continue providing the same level of subsidy for the MRT and LRT.

He told the members of the House committee on appropriations during its budget hearing that it was unfair that the “faster, more reliable” mode of transport through MRT and LRT is charging less than its counterparts, particularly the buses. The DOTC has initially planned on gradually increasing the fare for the two train systems to match those of bus fares.

Last year, plans to increase MRT and LRT fares to a maximum of P30 per rider, drew fierce opposition and was later deferred by President Benigno Aquino III. Train rides currently range from P10 to P15 for which the government subsidizes at least P55 per passenger.

“There’s a fairness issue. [It is] unfair to the provinces if we continue to subsidize Metro Manila. An MRT ride is cheaper than a bus ride; we must at least match the bus fares,” said Roxas when asked by Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino on possible fare hikes for the train systems.

He maintained that since the plan to increase the fare was initially slated for January this year, the DOTC did not need to restart the process of deliberations on the issue as well as dialogues with concerned groups. “The fare hike was supposed to (start on) January 1, 2012. Just because it didn’t happen doesn’t mean we have to start the process all over again.”

But increasing the fare does not mean that the subsidy is being suspended, clarified Roxas, saying “we will continue to subsidize (the MRT and LRT), it will just be in a lesser amount.”

“It won’t disappear, it will just be reduced to an approximate to the bus fare,” said Roxas.