LRMC seeks P7.48 LRT-1 fare hike, citing improved service

Commuters riding Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) may face higher fares as early as April if a petition filed by concessionaire Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) is approved.

The proposed fare adjustments would see an average increase of P7.48 per passenger, with short-distance passengers facing an increase of up to P8.65 and long-distance passengers seeing an increase of only P12.50.

At a public hearing on Thursday at the LRTA headquarters in Pasay City, LRMC president Enrico Benipayo justified the fare hike by highlighting improvements made since 02015, including increased working light rail vehicles and system reliability.

DOTr Transportation Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette B. Aquino stated that the RRU will decide on the petition within 30 days from the public hearing held on January 9th.

Progressive groups such as Bayan Muna and Akbayan Party-list have criticized the move, citing rising poverty rates and urging the DOTr to reject the petition.