Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — Private consortium Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) assured commuters that its operations would not be hampered following the suspension of approved fare hikes for its rail lines, though it admitted that business will remain a challenge.
“We would like to assure the riding public that we remain committed despite the latest news about our fare adjustment request,” LRMC spokesperson Jackie Gorospe told CNN Philippines’ Traffic Center on Wednesday in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s latest order to freeze fare increases for Light Rail Transit Lines 1 (LRT-1) and 2 (LRT-2).
“Operations will continue but we have to admit that business will remain to be a challenge,” she added. “But the team is exhausting all measures so that we are able to navigate this kind of environment.”
On Tuesday, Marcos asked the Department of Transportation to defer the planned fare adjustments as inflation continues to hurt consumers’ wallets. The president said the agency must “reassess the economic impact on the riding public” should the increase be implemented.
Gorospe explained that the fare adjustment could help as investments for the upgrade and improvement of transport services. But she noted that train extension projects will still push through despite the development.
