PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) has ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to defer fare increases for rail lines LRT-1 and LRT-2 “pending a thorough study on the economic impact” to commuters, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

During Tuesday’s briefing, Bautista explained that the DOTr will comply with the President’s instruction and will “carefully study the economic repercussions of the increase to passengers of the three major rail lines.”

“In compliance with the President’s instruction, we will thoroughly study how a fare hike today will impact on passengers of our three rail lines in Metro Manila,” the transport chief said, adding that the increase for MRT-3 was likewise deferred “due to infirmities in complying with the requirements and procedure.”

Bautista said that the DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU) endorsed the report favoring the fare increase for LRT Lines 1 and 2. The DOTr chief chairs the RRU and has the power to deny or approve proposed fare adjustments.

It can be recalled that the last approved fare hike for rail lines LRT-2 and MRT-3 was back in 2015. On the other hand, the LRT-1, which was privatized in 2015, has filed petitions for fare adjustments in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022, all of which, according to Bautista, was deferred.

The Light Rail Manila Corporation, which operates LRT-1, is allowed to apply for fare adjustments “of at least 10.25% every two years after the effectivity of the contract,” said Bautista.

According to Bautista, the proceeds of the increase would have been used for the technical capability, services, and facilities of the two rail lines.

“The fare increase will enable the two rail lines’ [LRT-1 and LRT-2] to improve their services, facilities, and technical capabilities,” he said.

“The fare adjustment will help sustain the two commuter rail lines’ affordable mass transport services,” Bautista said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jun I. Legaspi