PNR fare hike takes effect July 1

Philippine National Railways (PNR). (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will implement a fare increase starting July 1, 2017 to further improve its operations and maintenance.

The PNR management, in an advisory, said the railway system’s fare hike will be from PHP 10 to PHP 15 for the first 14 kilometers, and an additional PHP 5 for every succeeding seven kilometers.

The Department of Transportation said the increase will raise the fare structure from PHP 0.71 per kilometer to PHP 1.07 per kilometer.

PNR General Manager Junn Magno said the fare adjustment is in line with the PNR Board Resolution 094-2014 issued in December 2014.

The resolution authorizes the PNR management to implement fare increases to reduce its operating deficit incurred from the daily operations of the railway.

“We are only implementing a fare increase that has been long delayed for more than 20 years,” Magno said in a statement.

The fare hike is expected to raise additional revenue for the maintenance of its existing rolling stock, tracks and operating stations.

It was supposed to take effect in 2015 but was deferred due to opposition from various sectors such as transport groups and commuters amid increases in the fares of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) at the time.

PNR has 25 stations at Tutuban, Blumetritt, Laon Laan, Espana, Sta. Mesa, Pandacan, Paco, San Andres, Vito Cruz, Buendia, Pasay Road, Edsa, Nichols, FTI, Bicutan, Sucat, Alabang, Muntinlupa, San Pedro, Pacita Main Gate, Golden City 1, Binan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Mamatid.