Passengers avail of the free rides at the MRT-3. Image from DOTR-MRT 3 Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday announced that its ‘Libreng Sakay’ program for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is extended until June 30.
“Iyong atin po kasing extension ay number one, I think, iyon pong ating pangangailangan na maayos natin ‘yung testing capacity natin. And at the same time, iyan din po ‘yung ating last day ng ating panunungkulan sa Duterte administration,” MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael Capati said.
(The extension of the program is number one, because of the need to test the capacity of the MRT-3 and at the same time, [June 30] will also be our last day serving under the Duterte administration.)
Philippine National Railways General Manager Jun Magno added that they are leaving it up to the next administration, should they decide to adopt the ‘Libreng Sakay’ initiative.
According to Capati, the free ride program was also extended to help ease the riding public’s “financial burden amid inflation and rising fuel prices.”
The DOTr has recorded over 15 million commuters served by the MRT-3’s ‘Libreng Sakay’ Program since it first started on March 28.
“As of May 24…15,730,872 na po ang ating naserbisyuhan. Ang ating average weekday ridership po ay nasa 315,334,” Capati noted.
(As of May 24…we have provided service to 15,730,872 commuters. Our average weekday ridership is at 315,334.)
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