The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced a 24.84% drop in revenue for the first half of 2026, totaling P481.90 million. This decline was attributed to fare discounts introduced in response to the energy crisis.
Rising Ridership Amid Financial Challenges
Despite the revenue decline, LRTA recorded a 15.29% increase in ridership, carrying 31.75 million passengers compared to the same period last year.
The Department of Transportation ordered a 50% discount on all LRT-2 fares due to the energy emergency, impacting revenue generation.
Department of Transportation
For the year 2026, the LRTA aims for P1.1 billion in fare collections, supported by a projected ridership of 60.62 million. This target would surpass the 56.98 million riders recorded in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.
The LRTA expects an average of 165,624 daily riders, a positive sign amid the financial challenges posed by fare reductions.
In a bid to enhance commuter convenience, the Department of Transportation recently launched a contactless fare payment system across all LRT-2 stations. This new system allows users to pay via Visa cards, QR codes, and NFC-enabled devices.