MANILA - The proposed fare hike for the MRT-3 could be pushed back to the end of April or the middle of May, said Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino on Thursday.
 
Back in December 2023, Aquino said she expected to have their petition approved as early March.
 
But during an interview with the media at the launch of the MRT-3 Love Train this morning, she said the DOTr is still currently evaluating the request.
 
“After noon, magkakaroon ng public hearing. After mga one month kailangan naming mag-publish ulit nung approved fares, kung maaaprubahan ito, for three weeks. So ang expectation namin is baka mga end of April ito, middle of May,” said Aquino.
 
The MRT-3 management is seeking an additional P2.29 for the boarding fee and a P0.21 increase per kilometer.
 
If approved, the minimum fare will go up to P16 from the current P13 while an end-to-end trip from North Avenue station to Taft Avenue station would go up to P34 from the current P28.
 
Aquino said the increase in fares will ensure the smooth operation and regular maintenance of the MRT-3 train system. But she insisted that the adjusted fare would still be cheaper for the riding public in comparison to aircon buses.
 
“Kasi lahat nagtaas na (ng singil) no? Kuryente, lahat, so sobrang napag-iwanan na rin ang fare ng railways. In fact kahit na maaprubahan ang aming proposal, magiging mababa pa rin tayo actually kaysa sa mga aircon buses,” she said.
 
Meanwhile, some commuters hope that the fare hike will not push through as they fear it would eat up their salary.
 
“Maraming gastusin ngayon e. ‘Yung mga bilihin, mahal na lahat, pati bigas, pamasahe. Kung sabay-sabay magtataas, wala nang matitira sa sahod,” said passenger John Recto.
 
“Kasi tulad namin, mga pasahero. Sakto lang din yung pamasahe pa-trabaho tsaka pauwi,” echoed John Rey Abenar.
 
Other passengers however said they were okay with the fare hike as long as it meant better transport services.