The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced that the proposed fare increase for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) will undergo a public consultation process. DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista emphasized the importance of this step during a recent interview on PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. The Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU) of the DOTr has already initiated hearings to consider the petition submitted by the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the operator of LRT-1.
Bautista indicated that if the fare hike is approved, it could be implemented as early as April. He noted that the concession agreement between the government and LRMC, signed in 2016, permits fare adjustments every two years. Despite this, the last fare increase was only approved in 2024, following multiple unsuccessful petitions in previous years.
The proposed fare hike comes amidst rising operational costs for LRMC, partly due to the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project. This extension has significantly improved travel times, reducing the journey from Baclaran to Sucat from nearly an hour to just 15 minutes. Bautista highlighted that such improvements could help mitigate the economic impact of traffic congestion in the National Capital Region, which a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) estimates at PHP3.5 billion daily.
However, the proposal has met with opposition. Renato Reyes, chair of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, strongly criticized the fare increase, pointing out that it would raise the average fare by PHP7.48 per passenger. The DOTr remains committed to a thorough review and public consultation before making a final decision on the fare adjustment.