Metro Manila, June 21 ----- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday said it will focus on improving services and facilities in LRT-2 using additional revenue to be generated by the fare hike in August.
“For LRT line 2, 97% of the expected additional revenue will be allocated for maintenance and operation expenses, and to also upgrade the systems like the signaling, communications and also improve or rehabilitate the existing line,” DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorgette Aquino told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
On Monday, the Light Rail Transit Authority announced the approved fare increases for LRT-1 and LRT-2 to be implemented starting Aug. 2. The minimum boarding fee would increase to ₱13.29 from ₱11, and ₱1.21 for every kilometer traveled from ₱1 per km. Aquino said in a statement that the hike “will contribute to maintaining affordable mass transportation services for the two commuter-train lines.”
While operators of LRT-1 and LRT-2 are allowed to file for a fare hike every two years, this will only be the first time in eight years that such an increase will be implemented, she said. The fare increase was supposed to be implemented in April, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered its suspension. Aquino noted that 80% of the new fare is still subsidized by the entities that operate and maintain the train lines. In the case of LRT-2, which is under the government’s supervision, the actual end-to-end fare of a passenger from Antipolo station to Recto station is ₱178, she said. While the fare to be paid by a commuter for that route will increase from ₱30 to ₱35, a chunk of it or ₱143 is still subsidized by the government, Aquino explained.
The same is also being implemented in LRT-1 which is operated and maintained by Light Rail Manila Corporation, a private entity, she said. For MRT-3, Aquino said authorities are set to refile their petition for a fare increase within two weeks. Fare hike for this train line was rejected due to some technical issues, she noted. The DOTr official said the decision on the petition of MRT-3 may take three to four months.
Source: cnnphilippines.com
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