LRT fare hikes
STARTING August 2, Wednesday, commuters, who are mostly students and ordinary wage earners, on Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line Nos. 1 and 2 will be paying higher fare.
As expected, the riding public, led by members of the country’s so-called progressive groups, continues to oppose the fare hike, claiming the approval was “rushed.”
However, some quarters do not think so, stressing that the forthcoming fare adjustment would make train services more comfortable, accessible, safe and sustainable.”
Other well-meaning commuters conceded that the state-run LRT ought to hike fares to enable it to keep its operations financially viable amid the increasing prices of everything.
But they pointed out that the fare adjustment must be at a level that LRT passengers, who are mostly students and other ordinary Filipinos, can easily absorb.
Under the Department of Transportation’s approved increase, the boarding fare will increase by 20.8 percent to P13.29 from P11, according to reports.
On the other hand, the additional fare per kilometer will go up by 29 percent to P1.29 from P1.
Other quarters said the government should provide adequare subsidies to the LRT to ensure that the fare remains affordable for the public during these hard times.
“Dapat makahanap tayo ng isang win-win solusyon para tuloy-tuloy lang ang serbisyo ng LRT na hindi naman nahihirapan ang mga pasahero,” an ordinary passenger said.
