President Duterte rides the MRT-3 during the completion ceremony for the Japan-funded MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project. Image from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte earlier announced that rides from the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) train system will be free for more than a month—from March 28 until April 30.
Duterte, last March 23, graced the ceremony for the completion of the railway’s rehabilitation, financed by the government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“Now that we have accomplished its comprehensive rehabilitation, we can rely on the MRT-3 to run twice as fast without any untoward incident. This achievement of a fully rehabilitated railway will bring more convenience to many Filipino commuters,” said Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
All MRT-3 facilities and equipment were renovated and improved, including replacement of worn out tracks, upgrading of signaling system, and overhaul of the Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs). The rehabilitation increased the operating speed from the previous 25kph to 60kph with 22 fully functioning LRVs. It is expected to benefit around 500,000 passengers daily.
READ: Duterte: MRT-3 rides free from March 28 to April 30
But how will the free ride work? Here are the answers to some of the questions you may have in mind, according to MRT-3 officer-in-charge general manager Michael Capati.
1. When will the free ride take effect?
The free MRT-3 ride will begin on March 28 and end on April 30. It will cover all trips—from the first trip at 4:40 a.m. to the last trip at 10:10 p.m., except April 12 to April 17 to give way for the maintenance shutdown.
2. How to avail of the free ride?
Capati said the free ride will pretty much be implemented the same way normal operations work.
For valid stored value (Beep) cardholders, they would have to tap the card at the ticket gate to be able to enter the platform and ride the train. After getting off the train, they must again tap their card at the ticket gate.
“Walang dapat mababawas na anumang halaga sa card balance natin (There should be no charges against your card),” Capati said.
For those who do not have Beep cards, Capati said they need to get a single journey ticket at the ticketing booths and tap the ticket at the gate to enter the platform and ride the train.
Upon arrival at the destination, they should insert their single journey ticket at the ticket gate.
3. Who may avail of the free ride?
Capati said the month-long free ride is open to all MRT-3 passengers going from and to, any station of the rail line.
4. What will happen if a passenger loses or damages his/her single journey ticket?
A penalty of P50 will be imposed for either loss or damage of a single journey ticket, said Capati.
5. What if the ticket gate won’t accept an exiting passenger’s single journey ticket?
Capati said a passenger has to approach the teller’s booth so his/her ticket may be replaced. For a damaged ticket, a penalty of P50 will be imposed.
6. What if the Beep card of an exiting passenger was charged erroneously after tapping on the ticket gate?
If error deduction occurs, the passenger has to approach the teller’s booth for verification of the deducted amount and to avail him/herself of a station pass corresponding to the amount deducted. He/she can use this pass after the Free Ride program.
7. What if the passenger changes his/her intended exit station and alights/exits at another station?
No fare upgrade shall be charged, said Capati. All other penalties (overtime, fare upgrade, entry/exit mismatch) shall be waived for the duration of the free ride.
8. Is there a special lane for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other priority passengers?
Capati said the first train car of each train set shall be dedicated for senior citizens, pregnant women, PWDs, and passengers with children.