MRT-3 files petition for fare rate increase

The Metro Manila Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) has filed a petition to the Rail Regulatory Unit of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for a fare rate increase from P4 to P6 due to lack of income, according to Joseph Morong’s “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

If the petition is granted, the minimum charge for the trip from North Avenue station to GMA Kamuning would be P17 from the present rate of P13.

The maximum charge from North Avenue station to Taft Avenue is P34 from P28.

The MRT’s expenses reached around P8,969,179,830.02 as of November 2022, while the total revenue amounted to only P1,107,523,425.23. The resulting deficit is P7,861,656,404.79 or P88.34 government subsidy per passenger.

In the petition, MRT-3 has been struggling on public finances as fare revenues were never enough to compensate what is owned Metro Rail Transit Corporation to cover initial investment in building the facility, maintaining and operating the line.

"However, because it is an essential service, it is continuously maintained and subsidized, costing continuous deficits on the part of the government."

The DOTr is calling for a public consultation on Feb. 17 to get the opinion of the public on the proposed fare rate increase.

“Mahirap na yun kasi dadagdag na naman yan sa gastos,” a commuter said in reaction to the petition.

“Mas cheaper pa rin compared sa bus,” another commuter said.

Aside from the MRT-3, the petition of an additional P2.50 fare on LRT Line 1 and Line 2 will also be heard in a public hearing.

“LRTA's internally generated funds are not sufficient to sustain it's total operating expenses requirements... the authority has an operational subsidy from the national government for the year 2023 in the total amount of P1,053,363,000,” LRTA said.

“The proposed fare increase will certainly result to the reduction of subsidy being provided by the government,” it added.

LRTA administrator Atty. Hernando Cabrera said, “Isa sa mga recommendation namin kailangan sabay-sabay yan. On the idea na inaprubahan mo ha. Across the industry ‘yan, ‘yung tattle, line 1, line 2, and MRT.” -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA Integrated News