The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday said the impending Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) fare hike is necessary to extend the rail to Cavite and maintain efficient operations for commuters.
“While the DOTr respects the decision of those who want to file an appeal against the fare adjustment in LRT-1, which will take effect starting on Wednesday, April 2, it believes that the fare adjustment is long overdue and is necessary to ensure the operational viability of the rail line and sustain its necessary upgrades for the benefit of the commuting public,” the department said in a statement.
“This rate increase is needed to not only ensure smooth and timely maintenance of LRT-1 but also the extension of the line all the way to Cavite under the present PPP contract,” it added.
According to the Transportation Department, the rate increase approved on January 30 is only the second rate increase with 2023 being the first.
“This was also much lower than the proposed 20-peso fare originally submitted by the Light Rail Management Corporation (LRMC),” the DOTr said.
The scheduled April 2nd increase will elevate maximum single journey fares from P45 to P55, and minimum fares from P15 to P20.
Civil society groups, including PISTON, Bayan, and PARA, earlier filed an appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., contesting the DOTr’s approval of the hike and arguing it would disproportionately affect LRT-1’s daily commuters, largely students and workers.