Train fare increases require prior notice and hearing for them to be valid, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled.   The decision stemmed from the petitions challenging the then-Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Department Order 2014-014 (D.O. 2014-014), which adopted a uniform base fare of P11 for Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 and Metro Rail Transit Line 3, plus P1 per kilometer of distance traveled.   Beginning January 2015, the fares for the three railway lines are as follows: for LRT1, P15 to P30; for LRT2, P15 to P25; and for MRT3, P13 to P28.   However, the petitioners alleged that the fare increases were implemented without due notice and hearing.   According to the Court, the Administrative Code of 1987 expressly requires that there be prior notice and hearing in rate-fixing, with the notice to be published at least two weeks before the hearing.   In dismissing the petitions, the SC said the DOTC  with the notice and hearing requirements for D.O. 2014-014.