By Brian Campued
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to roll out white and personalized Beep cards to make commuting more convenient and more affordable for students starting next month.
This as the government implements the 50% discount for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities on all metro trains—the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) and Line 2 (LRT-2)—in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve passenger transport and ease the daily expenses of Filipinos.
According to DOTr Sec. Vince Dizon, students only need to present their valid school ID at dedicated ticketing counters in all train stations starting Sept. 1 and they can get their Beep cards on the spot—with the discount already programmed into them.
Those who wish to avail of the discounted fares are also no longer required to fill out forms, which usually leads to long queues during peak hours.
“Hindi na kailangang [pasulatin] ang estudyante ng pangalan, ID number, signature, [at] date na humahaba… kawawa naman ang estudyante,” Dizon said during an inspection at the Antipolo Station of the LRT-2 on Aug. 13.
Every white Beep card will be valid for one year, will display the student’s name, and needs to be renewed every school year.
Meanwhile, the DOTr also warned against hoarders of Beep cards, then upselling them on online selling platforms at P200. (with report from Bernard Ferrer / PTV News)
-jpv
