SC asked to stop LRT, MRT fare hikes

The Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) shall implement the new distance-base fare scheme effective January 4, 2015 as displayed on Saturday (January 3, 2015) at the MRT station in Pasay City. (PNA photo by Gil S. Calinga)

MANILA — Former Iloilo Rep. Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco on Monday filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to stop the fare hikes now being implemented by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

In a 12-page petition, Syjuco asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Department Order No.

2014-14 declaring fare increases at the LRT Line 1 (LRT-1), LRT Line 2 (LRT-2) and MRT Line 3 (MRT-3).

LRT-1 traverses from Baclaran, Paranaque City to Roosevelt, Quezon City; LRT-2 traverses from Recto, Manila to Santolan, Pasig City; and MRT-3 traverses from North Avenue, Quezon City to EDSA-Taft Avenue, Pasay City.

Syjuco also urged the SC to declare the assailed department order as “illegal and unconstitutional”.

He argued that the DOTC has committed “grave abuse of authority” in the approval of the fare increase because it was implemented without “due process”.

The former lawmaker further argued that the fare increase is also violative of the “Public Service Act” as well as the existing “Rules of Court” because of the failure of the DOTC to first conduct a public hearing on the matter as the basis of the fare hike and how the computation was made will be presented.

Syjuco expressed the belief that if the fare increase will not be stopped, it will bring about “irreparable damage” to the public.