Full implementation of fare discount pushed amid LRT fare hikes

FILE: Essential workers await the arrival of an LRT train at the Edsa Station in Pasay City on Friday (Sept. 3, 2021). Only those considered as authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) are allowed in public transport under the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila which is in effect until September 7. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

MANILA – A lawmaker on Monday said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) should fully implement the discounted rates for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) amid the scheduled fare hikes for Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2.

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera said the 20-percent fare reduction for certain individuals should be fully implemented with the establishment of discount lanes and configuration of the cash registers to automatically compute the discounted fare.

“In my view, the slight increase could be reasonable enough to passengers and can ensure the financial sustainability of LRT operations. But DOTr should fully implement the discounted rates for students, seniors, and PWDs, and continue implementing the EDSA bus carousel,” she said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, the DOTr announced that LRT-1 and LRT-2 are set to implement a fare increase starting Aug. 2, noting that the adjustment would improve the services, amenities, and technical capacities of the rail lines.

The DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit had previously approved the petitions seeking to increase the train boarding fee by PHP2.29 with an additional 21 centavos for every kilometer travelled at the LRT-1 and LRT-2.

With this, the LRT-1 and LRT-2’s minimum boarding fee would be adjusted to PHP13.29 (originally PHP11) and PHP1.21 per kilometer for every kilometer travelled (originally PHP1 per kilometer).

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista green-lighted the implementation of the approved fare adjustment following a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang on June 6.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino said the fare adjustment would improve the services, amenities and technical capacities of the LRT-1 and LRT-2.

With the fare adjustment, Aquino said the LRTA is eyeing to allocate about PHP110 million, which accounts for 97 percent of the projected PHP114 million additional rail revenues, for maintenance, operating expenses, and the repair and upkeep of crucial rail systems and facilities.

Herrera, meanwhile, noted that though declining, the inflation rates are still not at the 2 to 4 percent range that can be considered normal because it remains elevated at 6 percent.

“Informal sector workers and those employed by employers who do not comply with minimum wage orders are most at-risk,” she said.

Herrera said the wage board should grant a minimum wage increase that covers the recent fare hikes and increases in the prices of some food items.

She said minimum wage compliance must also be improved, noting that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) knows the employers who do not comply because they already have some data from those who availed of the Covid-19 Adjustment Measure Program (CAMP) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) pandemic aid programs.

“But instead of taking the punitive approach, DOLE should work with the Small Business Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry because SB Corp has a small loans program designed to help MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) companies in financial distress or difficulty complying with labor laws,” she said.