The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon said the reason for the recent increase of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) fares to support the expansion of LRT-1.
In the DZRH's Dos Por Dos interview on Tuesday, he explained that the fare hike, which was approved on January 30, is intended to help sustain the expansion of the project that aims to extend LRT-1 service up to Bacoor, Cavite.
“Una po, naapprove po ang increase noong January 30 ngayong taon na ito at ang increase ng LRT 1 ay napakatagal na po noong huling increase niyan at nadelay na ito nang nadelay,” he said.
The fare hike, reaching up to Php 16, comes after years of delays and is seen as a necessary step to ensure the continued expansion and improvement of the railway system.
He added that the delay in adjustments has placed financial strain on the private operators, as Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and Ayala Corporation.
“In fact ‘yun pong private operator diyan yung Metro Pacific ni Sir Manny Pangilinan at ng Ayala medyo naghihikahos na rin po kasi pinapaextend pa kasi natin ang LRT-1 hanggang Cavite. So itong increase na ito na hanggang 16 pesos ang inapprove noong January 30 para po talaga doon para talaga magtuloy-tuloy na ang LRT-1 hanggang Bacoor,” Dizon added.
While acknowledging the financial burden on commuters, Dizon stressed that the increase is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the railway system.
“Kaya ang tingin ko po alam ko medyo mahirap po ang kalagayan ngayon ng mga kababayan natin pero para maextend natin ang LRT 1 at tuloy-tuloy na maganda ang serbisyo nito eh. Mukhang kailangan po nating lunukin kasi baka lalo pa po tayong magkaproblema at madelay pa po yung ating extension natin to Cavite kung hindi po natin gagawin to,” Dizon emphasized.
According to the DOTr, the implementation of new fares will start on April 2. The maximum single journey fare ticket will increase from P45 to P55, while the minimum fare will rise from P15 to P20, as announced on February 18.
Furthermore, the maximum fare for a stored value card or “beep card” will go up from P43 to P52, while the minimum fare will increase from P15 to P16.
