Zarate urges SC to resolve petition vs MRT fare hike

Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate. CDN PHOTO/CHOY ROMANO

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Sunday called on the Supreme Court (SC) to decide on the petition they filed against the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) fare hike in 2015.

Zarate’s statement came on the heels of the disruption of MRT-3 operations last Friday afternoon.

The MRT-3 management has said a faulty generator caused the smoke inside a southbound train that stopped between the GMA-Kamuning and Araneta-Center Cubao stations.

The progressive solon said the incident that forced some 600 passengers to disembark was a sign of the “ever worsening service of the MRT system.”

READ: DOTr says sorry to MRT commuters for smoke on train

In November 2017, Bayan Muna filed a motion to resolve its 2015 petition saying that MRT-3 and LRT managements “did not deliver on their promise of better service in exchange of the then fare hike that they imposed.”

“Ang laman ng motion to resolve ay 1.) paglabas ng Korte Suprema ng TRO (temporary restraining order) sa ginawang MRT/LRT fare hike; 2.) pagbalik sa dating singil sa MRT/LRT; 3) pag-refund sa nakolektang fare hike mula 2015 dahil hindi naman gumanda ang serbisyo at mas lumala pa nga,” Zarate said. /cbb