Senate probe on proposed MRT, LRT fare hike sought

A resolution has been filed in the Senate seeking an investigation into the planned increase in MRT and LRT fares. Resolution No. 58, filed by Sen. Ralph Recto, said the probe aims to know if there are ways by which the transit systems could recover maintenance and operations losses aside from fare hike. “A mass transport system such as the MRT Line 3 and the two LRT lines is an essential government service. The planned increases would greatly affect the hundreds of thousands of commuters who rely on the prevailing low fares to get around Metro Manila," Recto said. Maximum fare for the LRT 1 stands at P20 from Balintawak (Quezon City) to Baclaran (south Metro Manila). On the other hand, the maximum fare for the LRT 2, which extends from Santolan (Pasig City) to Recto (Manila), and MRT, which runs from North Avenue (Quezon City) to Taft Avenue (Pasay City), both stand at P15. Transportation secretary Jose de Jesus last week announced the government’s plan to increase the MRT and LRT fares to ease the bleeding of the government’s coffers. [See: MRT fare hike looms — DOTC] The proposal was to increase the fare rate to P20 or P25. Amid opposition from lawmakers and several organizations, Malacañang assured commuters that they will be consulted on the matter. [See: Govt to conduct consultations on LRT, MRT fare hikes] Govt subsidy At the House of Representatives, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño said the government should not hesitate to subsidize the light rail systems because these are beneficial to passengers, government and the economy. “In other countries in Asia, Europe and North America, train systems are heavily subsidized by governments since they help the public at large. Notable examples are Japan, Belgium and Canada," he said. To cut on maintenance and operation costs, Casiño said the government must make the systems more efficient, remove unnecessary perks and bonuses received by the management, and correct onerous loan arrangements. Like Recto, Casiño favored the conduct of a comprehensive review of how the transport system is being run. Revenue sources Casiño said there other ways by which the government can improve the transport systems revenues. He proposed putting additional trains on track to increase income from passengers and to encourage more people to ride the train to work by, for instance, building bike parking facilities so that people can ride their bikes to and from the train terminals. Moreover, he said the government should ask mall owners and big business establishments along the train routes to contribute to a subsidy fund as part of their corporate social responsibility. “The administration must note that the MRT and LRT also benefit the private companies and government agencies whose employees use it to get to their workplaces. It benefits the mall owners and vendors that have sprouted in its terminals," Casiño said. He also said local government units along train routes should also contribute to the subsidy fund because they benefit from the light rail system. “The MRT and LRT benefit the motorists for reducing traffic volume on our highways. It benefits the power sector. It benefits the environment through lower carbon emissions. This is the holistic view that tells us that subsidizing the system is advantageous" Casiño said. Data from the Department of Transportation and Communication showed that the ridership of the transit systems in 2009 were as follows: MRT 3 – 138.54 million; LRT Line 1 –113.57 million; and LRT Line 2 – 48.57 million. About 500,000 commuters take the MRT 3 and LRT Line 1 daily, while about 250,000 ride the LRT Line 2. — LBG/KBK, GMANews.TV