Senators nix proposal to privatize LRT/MRT operations

At least two senators on Monday expressed their opposition to the Department of Transportation and Communication's (DOTC) proposal to privatize the operations of mass rail transit systems in Metro Manila. Senators Manuel Villar and Juan Miguel Zubiri voiced their opposition to DOTC undersecretary Ruben Reinoso said privatizing the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) systems will make these more efficient. “If something breaks down in the system, the tedious procurement process of the government will not allow you to respond quickly," Reinoso said during Monday's inquiry on the economic implications of the increase in toll rates and train fares to the riding public. However, Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on trade and commerce, said Reinoso was implying that the Aquino administration will not be able to address problems with the country's mass transit systems. “Don’t you believe in the competence of this new administration?" Villar said during the hearing. Zubiri, on the other hand, said privatizing the LRT and MRT operations will give the government no control over a major transportation system, the venue for the transport of some essential goods and services. “If you are going to give that up, if there’s going to be a price war… who are we going to scream at?" Zubiri said during the same hearing. Villar also told Reinoso to consider the recent price increases in other commodities before going through with the privatization plans. “Why (do this) now? We know the inevitable result of this will be significantly higher fares, so we will have to be careful in doing this," Villar said. He likewise said the public should not suffer for the lossess being incurred by the two transit systems. “If you are inefficient, hindi naman kasalanan ng tao na inefficient kayo (that's not the fault of the public)," he said. Based on the new rates, the P20 fare for LRT line 1 from Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City to Baclaran in Parañaque City will be increased to P30. The P15 fare in LRT line 2 from Marikina City to Legarda in Manila will be hiked to P25. On the other hand, travelling the MRT line from Taft to North Avenue will now cost P28 if using stored value tickets. - VVP, GMA News