Light Rail Manila Corporation, the private operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), is proposing a fare hike that could see the price of a one-way end-to-end ticket rise from P45 to P60.
The first public hearing on the petitioned fare adjustment was conducted by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) today, January 9. According to Jorjette Aquino, assistant secretary for railways at the DOTr, the agency now has 30 days to approve or reject LRMC’s proposal.
Currently, the LRT-1 boarding fare stands at P13.29, with an additional P1.21 per kilometer. These rates took effect in 2023. For 2025, the LRMC is proposing a new base fare of P16.46 and a higher distance fare of P1.50 per kilometer. The petition would see an average price increase of around P7.48 per passenger.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
No more flat rate, higher overnight fees: PITX to increase parking rates effective January 14
DOE: ‘Fuel economy labels’ required on new cars in Q1 2025; here’s everything we know so far
Enrico Benipayo, president and CEO of LRMC, stated that fare adjustments proposed in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 were deferred, resulting in a fare deficit of P2.17 billion as of November 2024, according to a GMA News Online report. “Assuming no fare increase will be granted until 2028, LRMC is projecting a total of P4.9 billion in fare deficit for the next three years, bringing the total fare deficit to P7 billion.”
He cited the upgrades to the rail line and its facilities, the construction of the first phase of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, and the faster travel times and headway intervals as justification for the fare increase.
According to Aquino, the DOTr will take into account the LRMC’s petition and the input of various stakeholders before making a decision.
After the opening of the first phase of the Cavite Extension, the LRT-1 Line currently has 25 stations spanning from Fernando Poe Jr. Station in Quezon City and Dr. Santos Avenue Station in Sucat.
