1. Official DOTr & LRTA Fare Determination Matrices
Rail transit fares in the Greater Manila Area are statutory public tariffs regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). Fares are constructed using a two-part tariff consisting of a boarding fee (flagdown rate) plus a distance-based per-kilometer rate.
| Transit System | Boarding Base Fare | Per-Km Rate | beep™ Card Range | Single Journey Ticket (SJT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRT Line 1 | ₱15.00 | ₱1.21 / km | ₱15.00 – ₱45.00 | Rounded to nearest ₱5.00 (₱15–₱45) |
| MRT Line 3 | ₱13.00 | ₱1.00 / station tier | ₱13.00 – ₱28.00 | ₱13.00 – ₱28.00 exact station tiers |
| LRT Line 2 | ₱14.00 | ₱1.21 / km | ₱14.00 – ₱33.00 | Rounded to nearest ₱5.00 (₱15–₱35) |
Note: Single Journey Tickets (paper magnetics / QR tokens) are rounded up to the nearest 5-peso denomination under LRTA guidelines to simplify cash handling at passenger ticket sales offices (TSO). Using an electronic stored-value beep™ card guarantees the exact statutory centavo computation and avoids token queues.
2. Statutory 20% Discount Rights (Students, Seniors, PWDs)
By national law, all public rail transit operators in the Philippines must provide a 20% discount on standard commuter tariffs:
Students (RA 11314)
Applies to all Filipino students from primary to undergraduate tertiary and technical-vocational levels. Valid 365 days a year including weekends, semestral breaks, and national holidays.
Senior Citizens (RA 9994)
All Filipino citizens aged 60 years and above are entitled to 20% off all rail fares and exemption from value-added tax upon showing an OSCA ID or valid Philippine passport.
Persons with Disabilities (RA 10754)
Eligible PWDs presenting a valid PDAO (Persons with Disability Affairs Office) ID or National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) card receive 20% discount and priority car access.
3. beep™ Card Rules, Expiration, and Reloading
The contactless contactless smart card system (operated by AF Payments Inc.) is interoperable across LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, EDSA Carousel buses, BGC Bus, and select modern PUVs:
- Card Validity: Standard blue beep cards are valid for 4 years from issuance. You can extend an expiring card for an additional 1 year at any station Teller Ticket Booth for a nominal ₱10 extension fee.
- Concessionary Cards: White/Gold Concessionary beep cards are personalized for Seniors and PWDs, encoding the 20% discount automatically at turnstiles without needing ticket window verification on each trip.
- Minimum Balance Requirement: To enter turnstiles, a card must have at least the minimum boarding fee of the line (₱15 on LRT-1, ₱13 on MRT-3, ₱14 on LRT-2). If your exit station incurs a higher fare than your balance, the turnstile will reject exit until you reload at the station excess fare booth.
4. Luggage Limits, Folding Bicycles, and Security Regulations
Luggage Dimensions: Bags or cargo measuring over 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet (60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm) or weighing more than 30 kilograms are prohibited from boarding during peak commute hours.
Folding Bikes and Kick Scooters: Under DOTr Memorandum Circular, folding bicycles with wheels not exceeding 20 inches (406 mm / 451 mm) and folded kick scooters are permitted on LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3. Bikes must be folded before entering the station security inspection checkpoint.
Priority Passenger Car: The first car of every train is legally reserved for Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, Pregnant Women, and passengers traveling with toddlers/infants.
5. Official Statutory Citations & Authority Reference Sources
All station coordinates, kilometer stations, and passenger fare tables utilized in this tool adhere strictly to statutory administrative orders and official regulatory agency filings:
Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) / LRT-1
Operated under DOTr Concession Agreement. Fares reflect the approved TRB & DOTr 2024 Tariff Schedule covering the 24.5 km alignment from Fernando Poe Jr. to Dr. Santos (Cavite Extension Phase 1) with ₱15 base + ₱1.21/km distance tariff.
DOTr MRT-3 & LRTA LRT-2
Administered directly by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) MRT-3 Project Management Office and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). Fare calculations correspond to DOTr Department Order No. 2023-010 and LRTA Board Resolutions.