Untimely Increase

Commuters are railing against the upcoming fare increases of 50 to 87 percent on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit(MRT) starting Jan. 4, pointing out that LRT-1 and MRT-3 trains often break down.

It is almost double rate a good increase? Can’t they increase the rate gradually? For me, the acceptable increase is from P15 to P18 or up to P22.Rates at LRT Lines 1 and 2, and MRT Line 3 are set to increase by 50, 67 and 87 percent, respectively, with the base fare set at P11 (from the current P10) plus P1 for every kilometer.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said the fare increases would result in marked improvements in the LRT and MRT services. Malacañang asked for commuters’ understanding, saying it was “time to do what is right.”

Based on the fare matrices issued by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and published in the Inquirer on Dec. 20, the rates for end-to-end trips for the three lines are the following:

— LRT-1: P29 for stored-value fare and P30 for single-journey fare from the current P20 (from Baclaran to Roosevelt and vice versa).

— LRT-2: P24 for stored value fare and P25 for single-journey fare from the current P15 (from Recto to Santolan and vice versa).

— MRT-3: P28 from the current P15 (from North Avenue to Taft Avenue and vice versa).

The DOTC approved the rates in 2011 after several hearings without a public consultation.

I would suggest that you just make the rates just a Flat Rate. Maybe with a flat rate fare system it will also be a very good incentive for people to use the original means of moving for shorter distance, their own two feet. Like for example I notice many on Bikes and in their walking shoes instead of paying the Flat rate for just a few Stops. Also stations and buses have bikes parking and carrier for long haul bikers. Can even take them on the  trains. The travel for a one way flat rate can go as far as 50 kms with as many connections as necessary. Connections is good for a specific hours at the start of travel.

It just doesn't make sense to increase fare for a transportation experience which is horrible and terrifying ? Have you ridden one during rush hour incognito ?