MRT3 to hike fares in 2024

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) is set to raise its fares starting in 2024, with the government saying the move is necessary to finance the expenses required for the rail line’s operations.
 

Once implemented, the minimum fare of the MRT3 would be increased from the current P13 to P16, while an end-to-end trip from North Avenue to Taft Avenue station would go up from P28 to P34.

“Tinatapat lang po natin ‘yung pangangailangan ng maintenance, ‘yung pangangailangan ng operations, doon po sa pamasaheng ibinabayad ng ating mga pasahero,” Transportation undersecretary for planning and project development Timothy John Batan said.

(We are just matching the need for maintenance and for operations to the fares being paid by our passengers.)

The MRT3 earlier said it had been struggling financially, claiming fare revenues have not been enough to compensate for the investment in building the facility, maintenance, and operations of the line.

According to MRT3 management, its expenses reached P8.969 billion as of November 2022, while the total revenue stood at P1.107 billion– a deficit of P7.861 billion or P88.34 government subsidy per passenger.—RF, GMA Integrated News