Recto wants LRT, MRT fare hikes investigated

Senator Ralph Recto on Wednesday sought a probe on plans to hike the fares in Metro Rail Transit 3 and in the routes of the Light Rail Transit.

“A mass transport system such as the MRT 3 and the two LRT lines is an essential government service. The planned increases, therefore, would greatly affect the hundreds of thousands of commuters who rely on the prevailing low fares of MRT 3, LRT Line 1 and LRT Line 2 to get around Metro Manila,” Recto said in his resolution.

Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus said the government was spending more than P5 billion a year for MRT 3’s operations and maintenance which made the adjustments “inevitable”.

The present fare in MRT 3 is P11 to P14, depending on the distance, while it is P10 to P15 in LRT Line 1, and P12 to P14 in LRT Line 2.

The proposed increase in the MRT 3 fare rate is from P14 pesos to P20 or P25, which the government described as less than the subsidy for each passenger at around P45.

Recto said tuition fee in state universities and colleges is subsidized much like transportation fare in MRT and LRT to promote the general welfare.

“This probe also aims to determine if there are other ways in which the three mass transit systems can recover losses in maintenance and operations without burdening the public by increasing the fares.”

The LRT lines 1 and 2 are run by the government through the Light Rail Transit Authority, while MRT 3 has been taken over by the government through LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines from a private consortium led by the Sobrepeña family. Christian Cardiente, Manila Standard Today