LRTA seeks subsidy for seniors
The Philippines’ Light Rail Transit Authority requested extra government funding to cover a 50% senior discount, estimating a P40 million monthly subsidy need — a reminder of the fiscal strains tied to fare policy changes (x.com).
LRTA Administrator Hernando T. Cabrera estimated the LRT‑2 would require about ₱40 million per month to offset the revenue lost from the new half‑fare policy. (philstar.com) Some LRTA statements and media reports put the monthly revenue impact slightly lower, at roughly ₱35 million per month, reflecting variation in preliminary loss calculations cited by agency spokespeople. (tonite.abante.com.ph) The Department of Transportation ordered a 50% fare cut for MRT‑3 and LRT‑2 effective March 23, 2026, and officials said the discount will be applied automatically for Beep card and single‑journey ticket users. (gmanetwork.com) LRTA teams reported recalibrating ticket vending machines and fare collection settings so the half‑fare is applied at point‑of‑sale without manual intervention. (tonite.abante.com.ph) The subsidy request comes amid pre‑existing LRTA fiscal pressures: the authority sought a ₱3‑billion LandBank loan to settle LRT‑1 obligations in February 2026, while LRT‑2 monthly maintenance costs were previously reported above ₱26 million against total rail/non‑rail revenues near ₱129 million. (philstar.com) The national budget office has been releasing funds for other priorities recently—President Marcos ordered release of ₱21.47 billion for fuel subsidies and infrastructure—yet no public DBM authorization specifically for an LRTA fare‑discount subsidy has been reported as of the latest coverage. (gmanetwork.com)
