LRT-1 operator seeks fare hike

MANILA, Philippines – The private sector operator of the Light Rail Transit 1 will seek a 10 percent fare increase for LRT-1 starting August this year.

LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp., expressed hope the administration of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte would approve the fare hike.

LRT-1 runs from Roosevelt station in Quezon City to Baclaran station in Pasay.

The LRMC won the P65-billion public private partnership contract for the extension of the 20.7- kilometer LRT-1 in Metro Manila to Cavite.

Under the deal, LRT fares would be adjusted every two years. The fare increase should have been implemented in 2014 but this was shelved following opposition from the commuters.

“We hope that the incoming administration will grant the fare increase,” LRMC president and chief executive officer Jesus Francisco said.

The LRMC assumed operations of the LRT-1 in September last year.

It earlier sought P1.9 billion in compensation for the additional funds it spent for the train system. But the Department of Transportation and Communications is disputing the LRMC’s claims.

The LRMC argued that the amount was fair to rehabilitate the LRT-1.