MRT-LRT fares, water prices to increase effective January 2015

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) have announced a price hike for Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) fares, as well as water rates in Metro Manila, Rizal and parts of Cavite, effective January 2015.

Beginning January 4, the DOTC will be implementing a base fare of P11, plus additional one peso per kilometer for both the MRT and LRT 1 and 2, in order to improve the sorry state of the train system, according to Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya.

This means that an MRT trip from North Avenue to Taft Avenue, for example, would cost P28; almost double the previous fare of P15.

By way of additional examples, the trip from Roosevelt to Baclaran stations on board the LRT-1 would cost P30, instead of P20; while the LRT-2 fare from Recto to Santolan would cost P25, instead of P15.

The fare hikes come amidst great protest from commuters and activist groups, who have promised to take the fight against the increase to court.

Meanwhile, the MWSS has given the green light to east zone concessionaire Manila Water Company and West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services to up their rates, due to the rise in foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA).

Manila Water will be implementing a 1.33-percent increase in FCDA, which will result a water rate increase of P10 to P20 for residential customers consuming 20 to 30 cubic meters a month.

The water distributor clarified, however, that households in the low-income bracket, or those with a consumption of no more than 10 cubic meters a month, will not be included in the price increase.

On the other hand, Maynilad has pegged an FCDA increase of 1.12-percent, which will result in a rise of P9 per cubic meter for households consuming 30 cubic meters a month.