SC pressed on petition vs MRT-3 fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the persistent dilemma hounding the operations of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), a militant party-list group urged the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to resolve their petition opposing the fare increase implemented in 2015.

Petitioners led by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate filed a motion asking the SC to decide on their consolidated petitions seeking to enjoin the government from further implementing Department of Transportation and Communications (now Department of Transportation) Order 2014-04, which increased the MRT-3 fare by as much as P10 per ride.

Apart from voiding the fare hike order and reverting to the previous base fare of P10 to P15, they also urged the SC to order an “across-the-board refund” to riders.

“The worsening condition of our rail system in spite of the implementation of the fare hikes only proves the correctness and validity of petitioners grounds for their opposition to the 2015 LRT/MRT fare hikes, as embodied in the Department Order 2014-014 of then DOTC,” the motion read.

“The MRT-3, despite the much-questioned and much-protested fare hike, continues to give its passengers poor and unsatisfactory service. It continues to experience technical problems that endanger the safety of the riding public. News about its malfunctions has now become so common, and complaints from the public have been increasing,” it further stressed.

Petitioners cited recently reported incidents, including the disposable diaper left hanging on the MRT-3’s overhead catenary system, which stalled the operation for more than an hour; a coach detached from the train, which required the evacuation of around 130 to 140 passengers; and a woman who lost her right arm on Nov. 14 when it was caught in the MRT-3 train’s coupler.

They also informed the SC about the termination of the P3.8-billion MRT-3 maintenance contract with Busan Universal Railway Inc.  due to the latter’s alleged inefficiency and the filing of plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against some Cabinet members of former president Benigno Aquino III over the allegedly anomalous MRT-3 maintenance deal.

Zarate was joined by the former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco and the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters Inc. in filing the petitions in January 2015.