Amid fare hike controversy, MRT gets a new general manager

By DANESSA RIVERA, GMA News

Published January 5, 2015 3:29pm

A new general manager has been appointed to oversee the operations of the Metro Rail Transit amid a controversial fare hike that greeted commuters in the new year.

Engineer Ramon Buenafe is the new MRT gemeral manager, replacing erstwhile officer-in-charge Renato San Jose, who remains as the MRT director for operations.

"He took his oath this morning," Department of Transportation and Communications spokesperson Miguel Sagal told GMA News Online on Monday afternoon.

"He was recommended to me by LRTA Administrator Joy Chaneco, who is also a mechanical engineer," Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya on Monday said in a text message to reporters.

Buenafe is a graduate of Philippine Science High School, Abaya said. He is a mechanical engineer and a graduate of University of the Philippines Engineering.

Abaya said Buenafe is a "well-accomplished businessman."

The announcement came a day after the controversial MRT and Light Rail Transit (LRT) implemented fare increases that it announced just as the country was going into the Christmas holidays.

The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), a former lawmaker and 17 other individuals on Monday asked the Supreme Court to stop the LRT and MRT fare increase authorized by the DOTC. —NB, GMA News

Tags: mrt, metrorailtransit