Aug 10
7
Student Group Launches Petition to Protest Train Fare Hike
A student group is collecting signatures to persuade the government not to raise train fares on the LRT and MRT lines. The protest is understandable. What many people, especially the younger ones, do not usually realize is that the money has to come from somewhere. The government can ease the burden of public transportation on the commuters by subsidizing the fares. But this means that the government has to supply the funds needed to run the operation. This money comes ultimately from the people. Subsidy means that people who do not directly benefit from the services have to split the cost for its operation. The LRT lines in Manila metro are being subsidized in part by taxes leveed on areas outside the Manila area.
It appears to be a lose lose situation, as these things usually are. It boils down to either increasing the burden on train riders by a small amount, or to increasing the burden on everyone by a much smaller amount. Though each individual suffers less under the second option, the long term effects on the economy of Manila, as in any such case, could be worse than the first option. Law makers will have to balance the immediate needs and financial capacity of train commuters versus the overall capacity for increased taxes in the community. Manila Times reports:
A MILITANT youth group launched a signature drive and petition asking the Aquino government not to implement the looming fare hike on the three mass based railway system in the country. The signature drive and petition, which is located at the Cubao Metro Rail Transit (MRT) station, in some Light Rail Transit (LRT) and MRT stations, including North Avenue in Quezon City started at 8 a.m. Read the whole story…
