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
It’s women’s month!
“Support women every day of the year!”
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:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour
