After 20 years, PNR raises fare to P15

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is set to implement a fare increase next month to raise funds for maintenance and operations. 

In an advisory, the PNR said the minimum fare would increase from P10 to P15 for the first 14 kilometers of the railway starting July 1. 

The PNR also said there would be an additional P5 for every zone traveled or seven kilometers per zone.

Cesar Chavez, undersecretary for railways at the Department of Transportation, said the increase translates to a fare structure from the current 71 centavos per km to P1.07 per km.

The fare increase is in line with PNR Board Resolution 094-2014 issued in December 2014. 

“We are only implementing a fare increase that has been long delayed for more than 20 years,” said PNR general manager Junn Magno. 

Under the PNR board resolution, the fare increase was approved to address the substantial cash flow deficit incurred from the daily operations of the railway. 

The fare increase was supposed to take effect on Jan. 5, 2015. 

Its implementation was deferred as the government had just raised fares of other train systems such as the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit at the time. 

“The fare increase now is expected to raise additional revenue for the maintenance of its existing rolling stock, tracks and operating stations,” Chavez said.

PNR spokesperson Josephine Geronimo said the fare increase would also help fund the operating costs of the railway. 

“Our current revenues can no longer cover for our operating costs like fuel, personnel, utilities etc.,” she said.