The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has just announced a price increase for the Stored Value Card (Beep card).
The announcement was posted on the LRTA-LRT 2 page. From PHP 20, the Beep card will now be sold at PHP 30, plus the initial load. The initial load must also not be lower than the minimum fare of the line which is PHP 12 for LRT 1 and 2, and PHP 13 for MRT-3.
UPDATE (January 3, 2020): The Department of Transportation issued a statement regarding the Beep card price markup. The agency stated that there is no increase in the actual fare of the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3. The price increase is reflected in the issuance fee of the Beep Stored Value card. DOTr also expressed that the card issuance fee increase is an automatic provision indicated in the concession agreement signed by then DOTC and AF Payments Inc. (the concessionaire jointly owned by the Ayala Group and Metro Pacific Investments) on March 31, 2014.
The agency also noted that they are reviewing the concession agreement, and will provide a report to the public about its evaluation and review.
Article moot and academic