Students’ perks: Free train rides at certain hours, no terminal fees

CLARK FIELD, PAMPANGA—The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday said it would give free train rides to students in Metro Manila who are willing to wake up extra early and forgo late afternoon hangouts.

About 40 government-operated airports and 114 seaports would also waive terminal fees for students starting next month.

“This is our contribution to our students,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Thursday.

On weekdays starting July 1, nursery school to college students and those taking vocational and technical courses can avail themselves of free rides on Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT 2), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3), and Philippine National Railways (PNR).

LRT 1, which is privately owned, was excluded.

MRT 3 will give free rides from 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. On LRT 2, these will be from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. and then 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

COMMUTER RELIEF Students in Metro Manila, including those in nursery school, will be given free rides on MRT 3, LRT 2 and PNR trains at certain hours early in the morning and in the afternoon starting July 1. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade says the forgone revenue would be worth the social benefits the program would generate. —RICHARD A. REYES

Forgone revenue

Free rides on PNR will be from 5 a.m to 6 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tugade said the government was prepared to absorb the forgone revenue in exchange for the social benefits the program would generate. He declined to quantify the impact.

Potential revenue loss could amount to P130 million per year just for LRT 2, said Reynaldo Berroya, Light Rail Transit Authority administrator.

The DOTr secretary said the program would also create incentives for students to avoid the busy rush hours, lessening road congestion for other commuters.

Moreover, its success would lead to better habits for students while stretching their families’ budgets, Tugade said.

With daily roundtrip train fares averaging P50, the savings could be added to the students’ food allowance or school supplies, he said.

Seaport terminal fees range from P5 to P30. Airports normally collect P50 to P200 in domestic terminal fees while it’s P700 for those taking international flights.

“That is the best return on investment that we can have,” Tugade said.

Eventually, the DOTr will require students to obtain a student “free ride ID.” For now, their regular student IDs will suffice, Tugade said.

The program will be reviewed after three months.

Tugade said there might be adjustments on the free hours to take into account special situations, such as when students needed to stay longer in class to complete projects or library work.