The Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) on Monday said it is set to implement the adjusted fare rate for commuters of LRT-1 starting Wednesday, 2 August.
It said the adjustments are compliant with due process, including the requirement to publish the approved fare adjustments in at least one newspaper of general circulation for three consecutive weeks.
“Thirty days after the last publication date will be the collection date of the new fares; hence the effectivity date of August 2 for the new fares. A public consultation was also held on February 17, 2023 which was attended by various stakeholders,” the rail company said.
A decision by the Department of Transportation’s Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU) show the rail line’s boarding fare adjusted to P13.29 or a distance fare of P1.21 per kilometer from the current boarding fare of P11 and distance fare of P1 per kilometer.
Following this policy, LRT-1’s revised fare matrix show a minimum fare of P14 and a maximum of P35 for stored value cards (SVCs).
Single journey tickets (SJTs) range from P15 to P35. The minimum fare for SVC at the moment is P12 up P30. As adjusted, the SJT is raised to a minimum P15 minimum and maximum of P30.
LRT-1 remains one of the fastest modes of transportation in Metro Manila and a sustainable way to commute with lower greenhouse gas emissions.
“Through the years, LRMC has remained committed to its mission of providing a safe, reliable, efficient, and comfortable journey for LRT-1 commuters. Despite the absence of fare adjustments in previous years, we have established major improvements in the 38-year-old railway line with the increase in trains deployed to service more commuters; improved headway or waiting time; station rehabilitation and expansion; and the construction of LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project,” LRMC chief operating officer Rolando J. Paulino III said.
“We are determined to give back the people their time through efficient transport and put more value to every single peso that our passengers spend for every LRT-1 ride,” he said.
Some of LRMC’s recent milestones for LRT-1 include the successful upgrade to a brand-new signaling system, the introduction of the first QR-based ticketing system in railway, commercial operations of 4th Generation trains, significant construction progress for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1 project amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and other service innovations for commuters.
