The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 (MRT3) is poised to re-file its petition for a fare hike this week.
Transport Assistant Secretary and MRT-3 officer-in-charge Jorjette Aquino said they have been operating at a loss, with the government subsidizing around P41 per passenger fare.
She added that the last time the MRT-3 adjusted its fares was in 2015.
“We believe that this fare adjustment is on the right side of the future of the rail system and the government should also be sensitive to the welfare of the people in long-term effectiveness and sustainability of our rail system.. We want to make the MRT-3 system sustainable to build more and serve more,” Aquino said.
The MRT-3 is seeking a fare hike of 21 centavos from the existing basic distance fare of P1, and its boarding fee by P2.29, bringing the current P11 to P13.29).
If approved, the minimum fare will increase from P13 to P16, and the maximum fare (end-to-end) from P28 to P34.
“The LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board) has commented that our proposed adjustments are still lower than those of city buses, city bus aircons, and MPUJs,” Aquino said.
“As per NEDA (National Economic Development Authority), the fare adjustment’s impact on inflation is minimal while the additional revenue would ease the burden on the national government to increase the subsidies to MRT-3,” she added.
Aquino, however, clarified that implementation of the proposed adjustment will not take effect immediately.
It would still take three months, give or take, after we refilled (the petition) this week. If approved by the Rail Regulatory Unit, we are expecting late March of early April next year,” said.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) approved earlier a fare adjustment for Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 and Line 2, amounting to P2.29 boarding fee and P0.21 distance fare per kilometer, from the existing P11.00 boarding fare and P1.00 distance fare.