“For months commuters have been squeezed dry by unjust MRT fare hikes even as the quality of train service has diminished or has even become hazardous.”
RILES Network believes officials of the Aquino government involved in privatizing the MRT and LRT of hastening it to collect kickbacks in time for 2016 national elections.
Since 2011, protests have held back the planned fare hike.
"This push for a fare hike, which comes in the wake of significant increases in the prices of LPG and other petroleum products and proposals for a record-high power rate hike by Meralco, is part of the economic disaster that the Aquino government is cooking up against the majority of Filipinos,"
Citing financial statements culled from past public consultations with DOTC and train operators, RILES Network said the real cost of a single ride ticket, which already covers the maintenance and operation, is only P9.50 ($0.21). What the government has been “subsidizing” is the difference between the current fare and the P60 ($1.35) per passenger fare it guaranteed to private concessionaires.
MANILA -- In a protest rally on various train stations all over Metro Manila this Monday, consumers group, #StrikeTheHike and progressive coalition, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-National Capital Region (BAYAN-NCR) added another form of protest against the looming...
MANILA -- A network opposing fare hikes in the MRT and LRT train systems strongly criticized today the management of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) for implementing a crowd control scheme in the train’s busiest stations yesterday. The group said the scheme only...
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Renato Reyes of Bayan said the government is heavily subsidizing the MRT and LRT because of the onerous contracts and loan guarantees it entered into with foreign banks and investors as part of a public-private partnership project.
After postponing the planned increases in LRT and MRT fares because of the widespread protest over this, the Aquino government is now hell-bent on pushing through with it. Why? Because of pressure from private investors. By Flon Faurillo...
PRESS RELEASE May 12, 2011 MANILA -- “We are witnessing the full-blown revival of Kamag-Anak Inc. with the privatization of the LRT-MRT”. This was how Vencer Crisostomo, the national chairperson of the youth group Anakbayan, described the plans by the Aquino...
PRESS RELEASE 12 May 2011 MANILA -- Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno again slammed the Aquino government for granting a mere P22 COLA for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila and approving the proposed fare hike in the MRT and LRT train systems, saying the COLA...
It seems that the Aquino government would rather let the Filipino people suffer than lean on oil companies to "moderate their greed." It is more scared of facing the wrath of the IMF-WB than the Filipino people. Perhaps, it is banking on its popularity and relying on its apologists-allies who are already in government but still stake their claim to being part of civil society. (By Benjie Oliveros / bulatlat.com)
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA -- Contrary to the festive celebration being sponsored by the Aquino government, various cause-oriented groups marked the 25th anniversary of People Power I uprising with a protest against price increases. Members of...
Press Release February 24, 2011 As prominent personalities take spotlights in today’s commemoration of EDSA I, Anakpawis Partylist gave the full tribute to the masses and unsung heroes who are yet to reap the fruits of their struggle 25 years ago. “We owe the...
PRESS RELEASE February 24, 2011 Students of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, led by the militant youth group Anakbayan, wore black today to mourn what they called ‘the death of the real spirit of EDSA’ a day before the 25th anniversary of the first People...
Media Release 24 February 2011 Multi-sectoral alliance Koalisyon ng Progresibong Manggagawa at Mamamayan (KPMM), together with Riles Laan sa Sambayanan (RILES) Network and other progressive organizations gathered today to protest the impending MRT-LRT fare hike, in...
Press Release 22 February 2011 “People power might just hit you in the face.” This was labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno’s warning to Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III should he push through with the implementation of the MRT-LRT fare hike. Workers, together with...
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bayan asks the government to be transparent in the decision-making process involving the fare increases. It also denounces the “element of deception” on the matter, pointing out, for example, that commuters of LRT 1 will be paying for the debts incurred by LRT 2.
Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-National Capital Region held a protest action against LRT-MRT fare increase outside LRT Recto Station Friday. After the public consultation on Friday, progressive youth groups held a protest action outside LRT2 Santolan station, calling on the Aquino administration to withdraw the proposed fare hikes. (Photos by Tudla Productions and Alvin Joseph Tenedero / bulatlat.com)
News Release February 5, 2011 The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today reiterated its opposition to the MRT/LRT fare hike as it criticized the Aquino government for its plans to reduce subsidies for train commuters. Bayan is participating in the two-day...
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