By Brian Campued
Students no longer need to wait in long lines to avail the 50% fare discount in Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) stations following the installation of dedicated student lanes on Friday.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon, this initiative is pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to eliminate queueing and avoid inconvenience in transport hubs by ensuring that effective platform management policies are in place.
“Kabilin-bilinan ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na paginhawain natin ang buhay ng mga komyuter,” Dizon said in a statement.
According to the MRT-3, students only need to present their IDs or registration forms at the dedicated student ticket counters and log their names and signatures to avail the fare reduction.
“Dapat hindi rin natin pahirapan ang pag-verify ng student discounts para walang pila at mabilis ang daloy ng mga student passengers para hindi sila ma-late sa kanilang eskuwelahan,” Dizon added.
On June 20, the DOTr implemented the higher student fare discount in all major rail lines, effective until 2028.
However, the said 50% student discount is only valid for single-journey tickets—recquiring students to queue at ticket booths to avail the fare discount.
Dizon previously mentioned that they are also planning to install turnstiles at train stations to allow cashless payment options, such as debit and credit cards.
The government had also launched the Pamilya Pass 1+3 Promo last June 1, another initiative aimed at making public transport more accessible and affordable to Filipinos by offering free rides for up to three family members with one paying member every Sunday.
-jpv
