Militants want to derail PNR train fare increase

AN IMPENDING increase in the fare rates of Philippine National Railways trains has militant and consumer groups up in arms. Members of #StrikeTheHike Network say they will be launching a signature drive in PNR stations against the P5 to P15 hike. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—Stop, look and listen before green-lighting the Philippine National Railways (PNR) fare hike.

Members of a consumer group yesterday launched a week-long protest against an impending P5 to P15 increase in train fares as they urged President Benigno Aquino III to improve the country’s mass transport system.

The #StrikeTheHike Network, together with the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, staged a protest at the PNR España Station in Manila and launched a signature drive against the fare hike.

The group will hold another rally at the PNR Tutuban Station today and at the Bicutan and Alabang stations on Thursday to gather more signatures from discontented train commuters, #StrikeTheHike spokesperson Gloria Bongon said.

According to Bongon, the government should improve mass transport system services “instead of continuously raising fares.”

The groups said the looming fare hike was unjustifiable considering the poor condition of the PNR train system.

According to a PNR board resolution, the minimum train fare will increase to P15 from P10. On the other hand, the maximum fare from Tutuban station in Manila to the Calamba station in Laguna will be raised to P60 from P45.

Transport officials had said that the railway fare was still cheaper compared to the over P100 bus fare from Manila to Laguna, adding that the PNR has yet to raise its fare rates for the past 20 years.