MANILA, Philippines — Over 2 million students are expected to benefit from the free transportation program in the Light Rail Transit System Line 2 (LRT-2), which will begin on August 22.
According to LRT Administrator Hernando Cabrera in a statement, this is due to LRT-2 (Antipolo-Recto) being located along 80 universities, colleges, and schools.
The typical weekday average ridership of LRT-2 before the pandemic was 90,000-100,000 per day.
“We have prepared a system to ensure the safe, smooth, and efficient implementation of the program in compliance with the directive of the Department of Transportation,” Cabrera stressed.
Students enrolled from nursery to college can avail of the free rides daily from 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., except Sundays and holidays.
Students taking graduate studies, meanwhile, are not included in the beneficiaries.
Students must present their original school ID or original registration form at the Passenger Assistance Office (PAO) for the issuance of the Free Ride Ticket.
Meanwhile, Cabrera reminded that the free ride program will only be offered during the first quarter of the school year 2022-2023 or until Nov. 5, 2022.
The free rides come amid the implementation of the “Libreng Sakay Program,” a campaign that seeks to ease the burden of Filipinos amid the rising cost of fuel and essential commodities.
RELATED STORIES
‘Libreng Sakay’ program seen as unsustainable
LTFRB: Supplemental budget needed to sustain ‘Libreng Sakay’ program
je