Wazzup Pilipinas!
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3) today presented a proposal to increase fares for the LRT and MRT lines, at the one-time public consultation conducted at the LRT-2 Depot in Santolan, Pasig City.
As a background to the proposal, the transport agencies explained that the LRTA and the MRT-3 are both operating at a loss, requiring the national government to subsidize much of their expenses. These include daily operating expenses such as overhead, power supply, and salaries. They also include costs for repairs and replacement of train and rail parts, and for the payment of existing debts.
Based on their 2012 financial records, the LRTA had a deficit of P 4.704 Billion, while MRT-3’s deficit was at P 7.250 Billion.
The average cost per passenger for LRT 1 and 2 was at P 34.74. 59% of this, or P 20.46, was shouldered by the government, and only 41%, or P 14.28, was actually paid by the commuter. In the case of MRT 3, the average cost per passenger was P 53.96. 77% or P41.46 was subsidized by government, while only 23% or P12.40 was paid by the passenger.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
