Malacañang said stopping the impending Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) fare increase may breach the government’s contract with the operator, despite mounting public opposition.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro cited contractual obligations as the primary hurdle, emphasizing the hike’s delayed implementation for commuter relief.
The scheduled April 2nd increase will elevate maximum single journey fares from P45 to P55, and minimum fares from P15 to P20. Castro warned of potential repercussions if the government fails to adhere to the contract.
Civil society groups, including PISTON, Bayan, and PARA, filed an appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., contesting the Department of Transportation’s (DoTR) approval of the hike. They argued it would disproportionately affect LRT-1’s daily commuters, largely students and workers.
“An added burden to commuters, the proposed fare increase… imposes substantial financial burdens on the approximately half a million daily commuters of LRT-1, most of whom are students and workers,” the petition read.
The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) operates LRT-1 under a concession agreement extending to 2046, which includes infrastructure development like the Baclaran-Cavite extension. Appellants suggested the government absorb operational costs if the fare hike is rescinded.
They pointed out that a 10.25% increase every two years, as stipulated since 2014, could result in fares nearly tripling by 2046. The government had previously denied LRMC’s fare hike requests in 2016, 2018, and 2020.
The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) operates the LRT-1, which provides train service for commuters traveling between Caloocan, Quezon City, Manila, and Parañaque, under a government concession agreement.