The Light Rail Transit
Authority (LRTA) and the DOTC- MRT-3 announced today it will defer the
implementation of its adjustments pending the submission of its proposed
rates to the LTFRB.
Lawyer Hernando T. Cabrera,
LRTA and MRT-3 spokesperson, said they cannot give a definite time frame as
to when the fare adjustment will finally be implemented since they will have
to comply with the process mandated by the LRTA charter.
Under Executive Order No.
603, the LRTA has to consult the LTFRB prior to any adjustment in its fare
and comply with the publication requirements.
On the other hand, the DOTC
also mandated the MRT-3 to consult the LTFRB on its proposed fare
adjustment.
"Following our consultation
with LTFRB, implementation of the approved fare adjustment will be 30 days
after compliance with the publication of the requirement," Cabrera said.
The fare increase for LRTA's
Lines 1 and 2 systems, as well as that of MRT-3 was originally scheduled for
implementation on March 1.
Cabrera also announced that
the LRTA Board reaffirmed in its meeting today the approval of the previous
provisional fare adjustment of P11.00 base fare plus P1.00 per succeeding
kilometer for its Lines 1 and 2 Systems, while the DOTC also approved a
similar fare adjustment requested by MRT-3.
"To cushion the impact of
the fare adjustment and in view of the issues raised during the public
consultation last February 4 and 5, the LRTA and DOTC likewise approved the
grant of 20% discount to students," Cabrera said.
Earlier, the Employers'
Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) already expressed its willingness to
give Stored Value (SV) Tickets as non-wage benefits to its employees.
With the adjusted fare
levels, LRTA's average fare rate will be P19.00 for an average of 8
kilometers, while that of MRT-3 will be P20.00 for an average of 8.25
kilometers.