Aquino backs LRT, MRT fare hike, won’t pass problem to next admin

MANILA, Philippines – Saying President Benigno Aquino III did not want to leave the problem to his successor, Malacañang stood by the government’s decision to finally increase fares at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit effective Jan. 4, 2015.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the decision to go ahead with the fare hike was based on “what is right and the good of the majority and not merely on what is politically expedient.”

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“The President doesn’t want to leave to the next administration problems that should have been addressed now,” he said in a press briefing.

Starting next month, end-to-end fare at the MRT’s Line 3 will increase from P15 to 28. Those at the LRT 1 will move up from P20 to P30 for single-journey tickets and to P29 for stored-value cards.

Fare at LRT 2 will now be P24 for stored-value cards and P25 for single-journey tickets from the current P15.

Particularly revolting for many commuters is the looming increase in MRT fare, considering that service has been often halted by derailed trains and other maintenance-related problems.

Coloma said efforts to fix problems at the MRT have not been contingent on the fare increase.

“Even if the increase was not implemented before, [the MRT] administrators and the [Aquino] administration continue to address the maintenance and safety concerns,” he said.

“It’s not reasonable to say that if the [fare increase) will not be implemented, service would not improve. It’s not true. There’s no basis for that view.”

“While we’re improving the quality of service, there’s also a need to address the issue of fare (increase),” he added.