Expect ‘slight’ LRT fare hike in early 2011 — DOTC

Commuters taking the Light Rail Transit (LRT) may have to shell out a "little" extra money for their ride starting early 2011. But Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus said late Tuesday the LRT Administration (LRTA) has yet to make a final decision on how much fares will be increased. "The fare will go up slightly. But we have not determined how much and when because the LRTA Board has yet to consider the recommendations of the technical working group," De Jesus said in an interview on dzRH radio. A separate dzRH report said the transportation department expects the fare hike to take effect as early as the first quarter of 2011. "Pero hindi gaano kataas ang itataas niyan (But the fare will not increase by much)," De Jesus insisted. On Monday, radio dzBB reported that the transportation department is considering implementing the fare hike on a staggered basis to minimize the impact on commuters. The dzBB report said the proposed fare adjustment, which involves a minimum fare of P18, will cover the LRT Lines 1 and 2, and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3). Earlier this year, the DOTC had hinted at a fare hike for the LRT and MRT to reduce state's subsidy to commuters, and the extra savings would be used to fund other government services. LRT 1 and 2 run from Balintawak in Caloocan City to Baclaran in Pasay City, and from Santolan in Marikina City to Recto in Manila, respectively. MRT-3 runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. — LBG/DM, GMANews.TV