Palace supports PNR’s fare adjustment

Philippine National Railway. Photo courtesy of PNR Facebook page.

MANILA — The Palace supports the Philippine National Railways’ (PNR) plan to raise its minimum fare from Php 10 to Php 15, as it is in line with the government’s Philippine Development Plan, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on Thursday.

Coloma said the same principle guides the fare adjustment of the PNR and that of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT).

“Ayon sa ating Philippine Development Plan na siyang batayan ng ating programang pang-ekonomiya, kinakailangan na ang mga gumagamit ng serbisyo ay nagbabayad ng angkop na pamasahe,” he told reporters during the daily press briefing in Malacañang.

“Kaya’t sinusunod ng DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) at ng PNR ang patakarang ito at iyan din ang prinsipyong ipinaiiral sa pagtatakda ng fare structure sa PNR.”

The MRT and LRT have recently adjusted their fare rates to improve their services to commuters. Both transport systems rely heavily on state subsidies, prompting the government to share the burden with the riding public.