MANILA, Philippines — Starting July 1, students can ride the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), and Philippine National Railway (PNR) for free, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Thursday.
According to DOTr, students until college level as well as those taking vocational or technical courses may avail of the free rides on the following schedules from Monday to Friday (except holidays):
MRT-3
5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
LRT-2
4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PNR
5 a.m. to 6 a.m.
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The specific schedules for the free rides were designed to encourage students to go to school early, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a press briefing in Clark, Pampanga, on Thursday.
“Hinihikayat nating pumasok ng maaga sa paaralan ang mga estudyante kapalit niyan ay libreng pamasahe,” the DOTr chief noted.
“As we give benefits, we are trying to create a culture na dapat kabahagi ng isang mag-aaral,” he added.
For the pilot run on July 1, students will only have to present their school IDs to avail of the free rides.
However, eventually, students would have to fill up an application form on the websites of DOTr, MRT-3, and Light Rail Transit Authority to get a “Student Free Ride” ID. They can also apply for such ID at DOTr help centers.
Online registration for the “Student Free Ride” ID will start on Friday, June 28, according to DOTr.
Aside from free train rides, students will no longer be charged terminal fees in all airports and ports across the country, too.
Terminal fees in airports will be free for students starting August 1, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Meanwhile, terminal fees in ports will be free for students beginning July 16, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Tugade said the Free Ride Program will be reviewed after three months to determine what aspects of the scheme will need further improvement.
“Bigyan niyo kami ng three months, makikita natin kung paano mapapabuti pa ang implementasyon nito at maiwasan ang congestion,” he said. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)