The Department of Transportation Rail Regulatory Unit (DOTr - RRU) has formally denied the motion filed by progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) which sought to halt the implementation of the fare increase in Light Rail Transit Authority Line 1 (LRT-1) and Line 2 (LRT-).
Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. posted the snippet of the DOTr RRU's decision dated August 8 and penned by DOTr Assec. for Railways Cesar Chavez.
"Wherefore, premises considered, we do not find a reason to overturn the Resolution granting the petitions for a fare increase, hence, the motion for reconsideration is DENIED," Chavez said.
He said the DOTr Rail Way Unit ruled that there is "no conflict of interest" in the fact that DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista serves as the chairperson of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) board of directions.
Chavez added that Bautista's approval of the fare hike petitions is free of any conflict of interest.
The DoTr Rail Regulatory Unit has formally denied our Motion for Reconsideration that questioned the validity of the recent LRT 1 and 2 fare hikes. It says there is no conflict of interest if DoTr Secretary is chair of petitioner LRTA and at the same time the approving authority. pic.twitter.com/gt8OzDwYh6
— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) September 4, 2023
But despite the denial, Reyes said they will be seeking additional legal remedies.
"What is crucial however is for the public to continue opposing the new fare hikes," he underlined.
The Bayan Secretary-General also raised his concern about the impending fare hike in the Manila Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) .
"Sa harap ng nagtataasang presyo, hindi tama ang dagdag singil sa pasahe ng tren," Reyes stressed.
With the denial of the MR, we are thus forced to seek additional legal remedies. What is crucial however is for the public to continue opposing the new fare hikes. Naka-amba pa ang MRT3 fare hike. Sa harap ng nagtataasang presyo, hindi tama ang dagdag singil sa pasahe ng tren.
— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) September 4, 2023
It can be recalled that the fare adjustments in LRT-1 and LRT-2 took effect on August 2 after the DOTr approved the petitions of the trains' private operator.
