DOTC sets LRT fare-hike consultations for October

The Department of Transportation and Communications has set for October a series of consultations with concerned groups on the fare hike for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. DOTC spokesman Dante Velasco on Saturday said the consultations will also tackle improvements in the LRT system, including a one-ticket system and possible insurance for passengers. “Consultation processes will start in October after the new fare rates are announced," Velasco said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the consultations may also take up a one-ticket system that can be used in the LRT and in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) system. The LRT-1 runs between Monumento (Caloocan City) and Baclaran (southern Metro Manila), while Line-2, or the Purple Line, runs from Santolan Station in Marikina City to Recto Station in Manila. The MRT-3 system runs from Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City to North Avenue in Quezon City. Another possible topic for discussion in the consultations will involve insurance for passengers, Velasco said. “Di lang pera pero pati pag-improve ng services natin (The consultations will tackle not just the fare but improvements in our services as well)," he said. Velasco maintained the hiked fare for the LRT, which now stands at P12, will not exceed P40 as some groups had claimed. DOTC Secretary Jose de Jesus, in an earlier interview, had even said the hiked fare may be between P20 and P30. “Our computations show the hiked fare will not go beyond P40. There is no exact amount yet, we will wait for the Light Rail Transit Administration (LRTA) to decide," Velasco said. “[But] if we follow instructions of the president and Sec. Jose de Jesus, it should be affordable," he added. Velasco also said government is studying the possibility of buying back the MRT from its private sector-based operators. “Pinag-uusapan ‘yan, magkano bibilhin sa pribadong sector ang MRT (We are still discussing the price we will pay to buy back the MRT from the private sector)," he said. The MRT is under a build-lease-transfer (BLT) scheme, he added. — LBG, GMANews.TV