Ref.: Anna Ferrer
Tel. No.: +63 (2) 854-0452
December 12, 2003
Effective Dec. 15, 2003, a rationalized fare structure will be implemented by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on the Baclaran-Monumento line. As a result of the fare rationalization, some LRT passengers will be paying the same rate while others an adjusted fare.
The new fare scheme, which was approved by the LRTA Board chaired by
Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, was announced
during a press conference at the Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) attended by top DOTC and LRTA officials.
LRTA Administrator Teddy Cruz said the rationalized fare structure will be a
simple one, with only two fare levels for the single journey (SJ) ticket and
four fare levels for the stored value (SV) ticket. The SJ is good for one
ride and can only be used on the day of purchase while the SV is good for
multiple rides and is valid within six months from the time of purchase. It
also features a last-ride bonus which allows a passenger to use the ticket
for any trip length even if the balance is only one peso.
For SJ tickets, the fare rates will be P12 and P15, while for SV tickets,
the fare rates will be P12, P13, P14 and P15, depending on the zones to be
travelled.
For passengers holding an SV ticket, they will be charged P12 for the first
four interstation travelled, P13 from the 5th to 8th interstation traveled,
P14 from the 9th to 12th interstation traveled, and P15 from the 13th to the
17th interstation traveled. The SV ticket will be priced at P60 and P100.
For passengers holding an SJ ticket, they will be charged P12 for the first
four interstations travelled and P15 for the succeeding interstations.
"The new scheme is distance-related, particularly for the SV ticket, to
ensure a more equitable structuring of fares so that passengers will now pay
for actual distance travelled," Cruz said.
He said at present, short-distance commuters subsidize long-distance riders
because both pay a fixed fare. The present LRT fare is P12 regardless of the
distance.
"We are encouraging LRT commuters to use the SV
ticket to make some savings and be able to avail of a last-ride bonus as
well as for convenience," he said.
The last fare increase for LRT was made in February 2000.
Cruz said LRT's fare structure is much lower compared to its Southeast Asian
neighbors. In peso equivalent for roughly the same distance travelled, it
was shown that Taipei RTC charges P75.04, Taipei Hsin Tien, P58.46; Japan
TRTA, P57.18; Singapore MRT, P35; Kuala Lumpur LRT, P29, and Singapore Bukit
Panjang, P25.82.
The fare adjustment program will enable the LRTA to generate revenues that
would be used to further improve services. Even before the fare adjustment,
the LRTA has upgraded passenger services by installing aircon units in the
old fleet and refurbishing the stations. To date, 30 old light rail vehicles
(LRVs) out of the 63 have been installed with aircon units. The installation
of aircon units in the rest of the LRVs will be completed by April 2004.
Adding the 28 originally aircon LRVs, 58 or 89% of the 65 operating LRVs are
already air-conditioned, providing a more comfortable ride to the public.
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