CPP: MRT/LRT fare rates should be rolled back, not raised—CPP

Propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Dec 22): MRT/LRT fare rates should be rolled back, not raised—CPP

Communist Party of the Philippines

 

The CPP issued the following statement on plans by the Aquino regime to impose a 50-85% hike in fare rates in the MRT and LRT metro rail system:

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns the Aquino regime for its plan to raise MRT and LRT fare rates by 80%. The planned metro rail fare hikes are an additional burden on the millions of commuters using the train system, who are mostly low-income workers, students and small professionals and ordinary employees.

 

In the face of the close to 50% plunge in international crude oil prices, Metro rail fare rates, as well as prices of local petroleum products, must be rolled back more substantially, together with electricity rates, air and sea fare, long-haul bus fares and freight rates.

 

Aquino’s plan to impose MRT and LRT fare increases is being rushed for the new year because it is expected to lead to increased revenues for the Aquino regime as power distributors are bound to reduce rates early next year in the face of the oil price plunge.

 

The plan to increase MRT and LRT fares is also Aquino’s compliance with his government’s contract with the Ayala and Pangilinan groups and their foreign capitalist partners in the extension of of the LRT line to Cavite on the south end and to San Jose Del Monte, Bulcan on the north end. The privatization of the rail system is being largely shouldered with government funds amounting to more than P100 billion.

 

Under these contracts, the Ayalas and Pangilinans who will control operation of the entire metro rail system will be allowed to increase fare rates at least once a year.

 

The Filipino people should unite, stand up and oppose the planned increases in metro rail rates, demand a rollback and an improvement in its service and safety. They must demand an abrogation of the lopsided “public-private” contract with the Ayalas and Pangilinans.

 

They must oppose the Aquino government’s line contraposing spending for public mass transportation with spending for public education and health and expose the Aquino regime’s policy of cutting social spending to pave the way for privatization of public services to allow big companies to fleece the people with burdensome fees and service rates.

 

They must condemn the Aquino regime for treating the public rail system as a source of revenue and demand full public ownership, increase in government subsidies to public mass transportation, as well as to other basic services such as public education and public health.

 

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20141222_mrt-lrt-fare-rates-should-be-rolled-back-not-raised-cpp