Just raise the light rail systems fare now, pretty please?
By Willie Galang
Published 30 July 2010, 11:43 • Tweet
© Willie Galang
Two years ago, I remember the Metro Rail Transit Corporation and the Department of Transportation and Communications mention to the Filipino press, at the height of the almost daily breakdowns in train services then, that new train coaches for the Blue Line (MRT-3) are scheduled to be shipped to the country in 2010. We’re now in the 3rd quarter of 2010. I wonder how that turned out. Can someone from the media confirm from these agencies the previously announced shipment of new coaches? I hope these don’t turn out to be ghost shipments. I’m mentioning this now because I strongly support proposals to substantially raise the fare for all the light rail lines in the metropolis, from the original Yellow Line (LRT-1), the Purple Line (LRT-2), and most importantly, the Blue Line.
Aquino to push for what’s right or popular?
It will not be a popular decision. Any price increase in the Philippines is made into a political circus of a national scale. Multitudes of people will be affected (just for the record, including me, who take the trains from at least two lines on a regular basis.) But some things need to be implemented. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, in his State of the Nation Address last Monday, assailed the government of his predecessor Gloria Arroyo for keeping the fare of the light rail train systems artificially low for the duration of her presidency. (But it’s not difficult to spot the intellectual dishonesty of Aquino on the issue here. While Arroyo’s government was trying to hold off hikes in light rail fare as long as it could to appease the riding public, the then Senator Aquino was mum on the matter. What did he do all these time?) But it’s not too late to effect a change for the better. So, if the President’s mention of the MRT ticket prices in his SONA finally make the administrators of these services push through with increase that’s been in the pipeline for so long, then that will be to Aquino’s credit. And I will applaud him for that.
The proverbial two birds in one stone
But before I applaud, the increases must be significant. Let’s face it. A three peso, four peso, five peso hike, wouldn’t be enough. We need to double, perhaps, maybe triple, the ticket prices. Do you know it’s much more expensive to travel by bus along EDSA end-to-end than by taking the Blue Line? Where’s the justice in that? That’s how artificially low the MRT fare is! People need to understand that we have to pay a premium for a fast commute via light rail. By raising MRT/LRT fare, we will in reality be killing two birds in one stone here. First, the jump in train prices will realistically force a substantial amount of riders away from the trains to alternative means of transportation, consequently reducing the mind-boggling, hatred-for-mankind-inducing levels of congestion on the light rail lines. (At least, I’m hoping such a move would make taking the trains bearable again, particularly for the Blue and Yellow.) Second, remember how bus franchises would always complain about low passenger volume even during rush hours? If this fare hike pushes through, say goodbye to half-filled buses along EDSA! Welcome your new regular passengers, bus companies!
So what about it, fellow train-riding people? Are you with me?
This article originally appeared here at williegalang.com at this specific URL:
http://williegalang.com/2010/07/29/lrt.mrt.fare.hike
About this Weblog
My name is Willie Galang and I’m based in Manila. I comment on current events and popular culture plus share some personal stories as well.
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