DOTr gives 57,784 vaccinated APORs free train rides

(FILE) Passengers ride the MRT Line 3 in North Avenue, Quezon City, Oct.19./Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Over 50,000 authorized persons outside residences (APORs) who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 have benefitted from the free train ride program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The DOTr reported Wednesday that a total of 57,784 commuters availed themselves of the free train ride program on August 3, the first day of the program.

Of the total, 40,710 commuters rode trains on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), 13,708 on the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), and 3,366 on the Philippine National Railways.

On Monday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the implementation of the free ride program for vaccinated APORs. The program will end on August 20, the last day of the enforced enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila to contain the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

The free ride program will accommodate vaccinated APORs, even those who only received their first dose.

In addition, the DOTr said the current public transport capacity will remain despite the imposition of ECQ in Metro Manila starting August 6.

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