LRT 1 extends operations ahead of April 2 fare hike
After the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3), the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) is also extending its operating hours on weekdays starting March 26 to service more commuters at night.
But while the MRT 3 added an extra hour to its running time starting March 24, the LRT 1 will run for just an extra 30 minutes from Mondays to Fridays.
The private operator of LRT 1, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), announced on Tuesday that under the new schedule, the last train at Dr. Santos station will leave at 10:30 p.m. while the one at Fernando Poe Jr. station will depart at 10:45 p.m. The opening hours will remain the same.
DOTr order
LRMC president and CEO Enrico Benipayo said the move was in line with the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) call for longer operating hours.
“In coming up with the new operating schedule, we also considered how the extension period will not significantly impact the available maintenance window to ensure continuous availability, reliability and safety of our service,” Benipayo said.
“We shall continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly, and rest assured that we will continue to implement initiatives that will allow us to better serve our passengers,” he added.
The LRMC said it would strategically deploy its trains and run more vehicles, if needed, for the convenience of the riding public.
By April 2, LRT 1 passengers will pay more after the government approved the railway operator’s petition for a fare hike.
The base rate will increase to P16.25 from P13.29 while the additional fare per kilometer will rise to P1.47 from P1.21.
An end-to-end ride will cost P55, up from the current P45, while the minimum fare will rise to P20 from P15.
Benipayo previously said the fare hike would help the company recover P45 billion worth of investments in the past nine years to upgrade the railway system.
In November last year, the first phase of LRT 1’s Cavite extension line was opened to the riding public. It links Baclaran station in Pasay City to Dr. Santos station in Parañaque City.
Extension project
The remaining stations of the extension line are Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog in Cavite. Construction is targeted to start this year.
The entire railway extension is estimated to be up and running by 2031.
Benipayo noted that the fare hike would also bode well for the company’s financial position as it has accumulated a fare deficit of P2.17 billion since 2016.
He added that under the concession agreement, fare adjustments are allowed every two years but in the past nine years, only one was granted in 2023.
Prior to the two fare hikes, the last to be approved was in 2015. The LRMC filed petitions for fare adjustments in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 but these were all deferred.
