LRTA says LRT-1, LRT-2 fare hikes to still go through process

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on Thursday said the proposed fare increases for both the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2 will still go through a process.

The LRTA made the statement after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved the proposed fare hikes in the rail lines.

The LTFRB approved the additional P2.29 boarding fare and 21 centavos for every kilometer on both LRT lines.

This means the fare between the Roosevelt and Balintawak stations on LRT-2 will be P15 for those using stored value cards or P20 for those using single journey tickets.

Fare between Recto to Legarda stations on LRT-1 will be P12 for stored value card users or P15 for single journey ticket use

With this, the LRTA said that “the matter of the fare increase will go through proper process.”

“The approval of the LTFRB on the subject fare increase is in the nature of the said agency being a Member of the LRTA Board of Directors, and not in the nature of a regulatory body. LTFRB  is just one (of the nine members of the LRTA Board of Directors),” the agency said.

The other LRTA Board Members are the Department of Transportation, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro Manila Development Authority, and two appointive directors —namely, LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera, and Atty. Dimapuno Datu.

“The fare increase must be approved by the LRTA Board of Directors, and must likewise pass through the required regulatory process which includes public consultation/hearing,” it said.

“LRTA proposed to adjust the fares of LRT-1 & 2 by P2.29 ( boarding fare) plus P0.21 per kilometer (distance fare),” it added.

The current boarding fare of P11.00 and distance fare of P1.00 per kilometer has been the rates since 2015, according to the LRTA.—AOL, GMA Integrated News