The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) calls on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop the approved fare hike for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), set to take effect on April 2, 2025. The increase — raising the minimum fare from ₱15 to ₱20 for a single journey ticket, will add yet another financial burden on Filipino workers already struggling with the rising cost of living.

LRT-1 serves as a primary mode of transportation for many minimum wage earners, who are already earning far below what is needed for a decent standard of living. The NCR’s daily minimum wage of ₱645 falls short of the ₱1,227 family living wage estimated by IBON Foundation as of January 2025. The study further estimates that monthly transportation expenses already reach ₱1,511, an amount that will increase significantly with the fare hike, making it even harder for workers to afford basic necessities.

Beyond economic concerns, IOHSAD underscores the negative health impacts of higher transportation costs. According to the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, accessible and affordable public transportation plays a crucial role in reducing road accidents, lowering pollution emissions, improving physical and mental well-being, and ensuring that workers and low-income families can access essential services such as healthcare and nutritious food.

“The fare hike does nothing to support Filipino workers and low-income households. Instead, it will only benefit private corporations at the expense of the commuting public,” IOHSAD stated. “Public transportation is not a business. It is a basic service that must remain affordable and accessible to all.”

IOHSAD urges the government to prioritize wage increases instead of fare hikes and to implement a moratorium on fare and other basic service fee increases. Instead of approving measures that deepen economic hardship, the government should focus on developing an affordable, efficient public mass transportation system, one that is not tied to onerous deals with private corporations.

“Workers should not have to choose between paying for their ride to work and putting food on the table. If the government truly wants to uplift the lives of Filipino workers, it must push for a living wage and not higher fares,” IOHSAD said.

Lastly, IOHSAD calls on workers, commuters, and the public to unite, speak out, and resist this unjust fare hike.