Gov’t: No MRT-3, LRT fare hike for now

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Despite the usual glitches the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) encounters, will the government still push for a fare hike?

Not yet, says Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

“October wala po siguro…As of now, wala pong indicator of any go signal or green light,” Abaya told Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

(There probably won’t be any increase in October…As of now, there is no indicator that it will proceed.)

He, however, could not say if there will be no fare hike until the end of the year.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang is also not sure when the fare increase would be implemented. What is clear, he said is the contention on how taxpayer’s money is subsidizing the MRT operations.

“So, you’ve got taxes collected from Cebu, Visayas, Mindanao or from the balance of Luzon who don’t enjoy that. So, we recognize that we need to also to lower that so that the money that should go to the subsidy, we can use that for poverty alleviation, intervention or other social programs,” he said.

Lacierda insisted that taxes should be “applied equitably.”

For now, Abaya said the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has complied with all the requirements for the fare hike, which the agency has been pushing for since 2011.

He said they already held public consultations. However, Abaya admitted that economic managers also have a say. What he is sure about is that President Benigno Aquino III will closely monitor the issue.

Simultaneous increases

At the same time, Abaya said that if the increase will be implemented, it would be done simultaneously across MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 and Line 2.

“Ang suggestion ay sabay-sabay ang increase para uniform din ‘yung standard na gagamitin dahil ngayon iba-iba ‘yung sistema,” the Secretary said.

(The suggestion is that the price hikes will be done at the same time to have uniform standards because different systems are currently being used.)

Abaya earlier announced that the three train lines would have an automated ticketing system by 2015.

They have proposed an “11+1” structure, meaning passengers will have to pay P11 once they enter the station and pay an additional P1 per kilometer.

Government-owned

Abaya said he personally believes that the train lines should be operated by a private company, chosen through open and transparent bidding.

However, he said the regulator or the government should be strict to ensure that service levels are maintained.

“Ang gusto nating mangyari lahat government-owned,” he explained, adding that it will also be cheaper.

(What we want is for all of the lines to be government-owned.)

Lacierda said what was important is that the services are being improved.

“You would see here the determined effort right now recognizing all the difficulties. We have taken over the operation and maintenance. We are acquiring new coaches for the MRT,” he said.

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