The commuting public using the line will have to shell out more once the new matrix comes into effect.
On Tuesday, February 18, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), announced the implementation of a fare hike beginning April 2, 2025.
According to the company, the minimum fare for single journey ticketholders (SJT) will be increased from Php 15 to Php 20, with the end-to-end fee from Dr. Santos to FPJ Avenue (and vice-versa) raised from Php 45 to Php 55.
Meanwhile, passengers using reloadable stored value Beep cards will be charged the boarding fee of Php 16. For those riding the entire line, it will set them back Php 52.
It is based on the computation that the minimum fee will be Php 16.25, with each kilometer corresponding to an additional Php 1.47.
According to LRMC President and CEO Enrico R. Benipayo, public transport is a service that requires investment in multiple areas, such as maintenance, upgrades, and expansion.
“Countries with world-class transport systems such as Singapore and Japan adjust fares regularly to keep services efficient and safe. We are thankful to our partners in government for their support in ensuring that we can sustain the necessary upgrades,” he said.
Furthermore, Benipayo noted that the impending increase is only the second time that the LRMC was allowed to implement fare adjustments in its 10 years as the line’s operator.
“LRMC has since introduced new trains, station upgrades, and better service efficiency. Last November 2024, LRMC also completed Phase 1 of the Cavite Extension Project and opened the extension for commercial operations,” the LRMC official added.
LRT-1 operates 25 station stretching from Fernado Poe, Jr. station in Quezon City up north, all the way down to the southernmost stop at Dr. Santos (formerly Sucat) in Parañaque.
Additional stations are set to open as part of the planned extension to Cavite in the next few years.