The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on Thursday said the proposed increase in railway fares might still have to undergo a public hearing, its administrator said.
“The fare increase must be approved by the LRTA Board of Directors, and must, likewise, pass through required regulatory process which includes public consultation/hearing,” said LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera.
The proposed fare hike for LRT 1 and 2 is P2.29 boarding fare and P0.21 for every kilometer (km). The current boarding fare of P11.00 and distance fare of P1.00 per km has been the current rates since 2015.
“The LRTA would like to clarify that the matter of the fare increase will go through proper process. The approval of the LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] on the subject fare increase is in the nature of the said agency being a member of the LRTA Board of Directors, and not in the nature of a regulatory body,” Cabrera explained.
LTFRB is just one of the nine members of the LRTA Board. The other members are the Department of Transportation, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and two appointive directors that include Cabrera and Atty. Dimapuno Datu.