President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a directive Tuesday April 11,2023 to defer the fare hike of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 in order to thoroughly study its implementation and minimize its negative impact on the public.

This move aims to support the citizens amidst the effects of the pandemic and the global increase in commodity prices. Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista shared this information during a press briefing earlier this morning, April 11th.

Secretary Bautista stated that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will comply with the President's instruction and carefully assess the economic repercussions of the fare increase for the passengers of the three major rail lines in Metro Manila. He also mentioned that the fare increase for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) was likewise deferred due to difficulties in complying with the requirements and procedures.

The DOTr's Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU), chaired by Secretary Bautista, had endorsed the report favoring the fare increase for LRT Lines 1 and 2. However, the last approved fare hike for LRT-2 and MRT-3 was back in 2015, while LRT-1, which was privatized in 2015, had filed petitions for fare adjustments in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022, all of which were deferred.

Secretary Bautista explained that the fare increase would have been utilized to improve the technical capabilities, services, and facilities of LRT-1 and LRT-2. "The fare increase will enable the two rail lines, LRT-1 and LRT-2, to improve their services, facilities, and technical capabilities," he said. "The fare adjustment will help sustain the two commuter rail lines' affordable mass transport services."