LRT-1 operator seeks gov’t subsidy

The operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 is asking the government for a P300-million subsidy to offset a planned fare increase in LRT-1.

In a press conference yesterday, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) president and chief executive officer Rogelio Singson said the firm has suggested getting a government subsidy for the planned fare hike.

“Hopefully, it can be handled in the 2018 budget. Fare adjustment is close to P300 million… We have suggested that it be subsidized instead,” he said.

The government has decided to defer the implementation of the fare hike for the LRT-1 as it wanted to study other available options in lieu of imposing a fare increase.

LRMC plans to increase fares by as much as five percent this year, which would raise the maximum cost per single journey to P31.50 from P30.

The last time a fare increase took effect for LRT-1 was in January 2015.

In another development, LRMC has formally received the certification of management systems to global standards by international certification body TÜV Rheinland.

In particular, LRMC is certified compliant for international standards in Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001:2015) after it implemented improvements for the train line.

“This achievement sends a clear message to our employees, customers and trade partners that LRMC is committed to setting the gold standard in Philippine public transport,” Singson said.

Since LRMC assumed operations of the LRT-1 in September 2015, he said the group was able to deliver improvements such as increased number of trains and trips, reduced passenger waiting time, improved safety and cleanliness of the stations, increased ridership, extended operating hours, as well as increased customer satisfaction.