By Brian Campued
Upon the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Wednesday removed the need to fill out forms for those who are qualified to avail of the 50% discount on train fares.
Dizon made the announcement after he observed that filling out forms causes inconvenience to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and students as it usually leads to long queues in ticketing counters.
“Sinilip ko kanina ‘yong estudyanteng nag-fill out ng form, inabot ng kulang-kulang 1 hanggang 1 minute 30 seconds para lang sa form. Sayang ‘yong oras ng estudyante at ng ibang pasahero,” Dizon lamented during an inspection at the Antipolo Station of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2).
He added that the DOTr is working with the Commission on Audit (COA) to digitalize the process in support of the President’s push for digitalization in government transactions.
The agency will also roll out white, personalized Beep cards for students who wish to avail the 50% discount on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), LRT-1, and LRT-2 starting September.
“Kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo na dapat ang biyahe ng ating mga estudyante ay mabilis at convenient para hindi sila nale-late sa klase. Starting September, hindi na sila mahihirapan,” Dizon said.
According to the DOTr chief, the white Beep cards will be valid for one year, will display the student’s name, and can be renewed every school year.
“Pupunta lang sila sa kahit anong station next month, ipapakita ang ID at ipi-print ang Beep card right then and there,” he explained, noting that the printing of white Beep cards will also be expedited starting next month to allow passengers to receive their cards immediately at ticket counters, compared to the previous five to seven working days of processing.
Meanwhile, the same white Beep cards are already available to senior citizens and PWDs, which automatically grant 50% fare discounts.
The higher discount rates were previously implemented for students in June and for senior citizens and PWDs in July.
-jpv
