TIME to rethink and recalculate the transportation budget. That is for those taking the Light Rail Transit 1.

According to the latest announcement from the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the Department of Transportation (DoTr) approved their petition for a  fare increase.

LRMC, the private operator of LRT 1, claimed that they had  complied with the proper due process being asked from them by the DOTr.

These include the requirement to publish the approved fare adjustments in at least one newspaper of general circulation.

This was done over a span of three weeks.

“Thirty days after the last publication date will be the collection date of the new fares; hence the effectivity date of August 2 for the new fares,” the statement said.

“ A public consultation was also held on 17 February 2023 which was attended by various stakeholders,” it added.

According to the DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit, the new fares will now consist of a boarding fare that will be jacked up to P13.29 from the previous  P11, as well as the the distance fare per kilometer will be P1.21, up from P1.

The revised matrix of the LRT-1  will show a minimum fare of P14 as well as a  maximum fare of P35 for Stored Value Cards (SVCs). 

Meanwhile, Single Journey Tickets (SJTs) will range from P15 to P35.

The current minimum fare for the  SVC is at P12 while the  maximum fare is at P30.

The SJT has a P15 minimum fare and P30 maximum fare.