Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) fares still remain the same at the moment as the implementation date of the proposed fare increase is still undecided, an official of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) said.
“Implementation date is still uncertain. The petition is still under consultation stage at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board,” DoTC deputy spokesman Chiqui de la Paz said at the “Talking Points” radio program aired over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan at the Philippine Information Agency Bldg. in Quezon City.
The DoTC earlier had approved a boarding fee of P11 and a P1 charge for every kilometer for both the MRT and LRT lines.
As a result of the new fares, traveling the entire length of the MRT line, a total of 17 kilometers from Taft Avenue in Pasay City to North Avenue in Quezon City, would cost P28.
For the LRT Lines 1 and 2, the maximum fares will be P30 and P25, respectively.
Implementation of fare hike in the Metro Manila rail systems has been repeatedly postponed, mainly due to appeal of the riding public.
Labor groups, including the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), said of the 4.2 million workers in Metro Manila, some 2.18 million are minimum wage earners, and many of them take the trains to work every day.
But De la Paz appealed to the public to consider the increase as “a hike is inevitable” as the Metro Rail Transit Authority (MRTA) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) need fund to implement upgrading and maintenance of the trains which suffer from continuous wear and tear from daily operations.
“We also need to improve the facilities such as the elevators, escalators, tracks and to provide more train availability. LRTA and MRTA will purchase more trains to accommodate their growing clientele,” she said.
Last Monday, four persons were hurt when commotion struck a southbound LRT train approaching the United Nations Avenue station in Manila. The incident was prompted by smoke that billowed out of burnt brake pad.
De la Paz said such incidents can be avoided when there are sufficient funds to maintain the trains.
She stressed, however, that despite the depleted budget, both MRT and LRT trains undergo periodic maintenance to ensure the safety of the riding public. PNA
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
