The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced that the Light Rail Manila Corporation’s (LRMC) request for a fare increase on the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) will be subject to public consultation and review by regulatory bodies before any decision is made. DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista shared this during a recent interview on PTV, indicating that the earliest the fare hike could be implemented, if approved, would be in April.
Bautista explained that the Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU) of the DOTr has already begun hearings on the matter, emphasizing the necessity of public consultation before any fare adjustments are approved. He noted that the consultation process is ongoing and crucial for the decision-making process.
The proposed fare increase comes under the terms of a 2016 concession agreement between the government and LRMC, which allows for fare adjustments biennially. Despite this, previous requests for fare hikes in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 were only approved in 2024, highlighting the rigorous review process.
Bautista justified the need for fare increases by pointing out the rising operational costs faced by LRMC, including the recent expansion of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension. This project has significantly increased the line’s capacity, adding five new stations and accommodating an additional 80,000 passengers daily. The extension has also drastically reduced travel time between Baclaran and Sucat from nearly an hour to just 15 minutes, offering a solution to the traffic congestion that costs the National Capital Region’s economy PHP3.5 billion daily, according to a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
However, the proposal has met with opposition. Renato Reyes, chair of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, strongly opposed the fare increase, highlighting an average increase of PHP7.48 per passenger as a significant burden on commuters.