Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced a program that would give free rides in MRT-3, LRT-2, PNR for students.
According to DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, the “Student Free Ride Program” would encourage students to go to school earlier as you could only ride MRT-3, LRT-2, and PNR without charges in the said schedule.
PNR – 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday to Friday except for Holidays)
MRT-3 – 5 a.m.. to 6.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday except for Holidays)
LRT-2 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday except for Holidays)
“Hinihikayat nating pumasok ng maaga sa paaralan ang mga estudyante kapalit niyan ay libreng pamasahe,” Tugade said.
“As we give benefits, we are trying to create a culture na dapat kabahagi ng isang mag-aaral,” he added.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) also announced free terminal fees in airports for students starting August 1.
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) also made the said program, giving free terminal fees for students.
HOW TO AVAIL THE STUDENT FREE RIDE PROGRAM
According to DOTr, students from pre-school to college (undergraduate only) and those who are taking vocational or technical courses may avail the said free ride.
For the first month of the implementation which is in July, the students only need to present their valid school ID to get a free ride.
However, after the first stage of the implementation of the program, the students already required to get a Free Ride ID. You can apply a for an ID only or you are required to visit a “Malasakit Help Desk” that you could find in MRT-3, LRT-2, and PNR stations.
The online registration for the Free Ride ID will start on Friday, June 28. You can visit the website here.
Tugade said that they don’t mind the possible loss of revenues because the welfare of the students is more important for the government.
According to an LRT official, a revenue worth P130-M may lose because of the said program.
“Sabi ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, maging bahagi tayo sa edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan, sapagkat education is the foundation of growth of any nation. Ineengganyo natin ang mga estudyanteng magkaroon ng kultura ng punctuality, kapalit niyan ang libreng pamasahe at terminal fee,” Secretary Tugade said.
“Let us look at this as a gain, not as a loss. Tingnan natin ito bilang isang tunay na pagmamalasakit ng gobyerno. Tingnan natin kung gaano nito matutulungan ang ating mga estudyante. Malaking katipiran ito. Malaking tulong ito para sa kanila at sa kanilang mga pamilya,” he added.
According to Tugade, they’re also preparing for the possible congestions and planning to analyze carefully the first three months of the implementation of the Free Student Ride Program.
Tugade also said that the students who would avail the free ride program could save P50 daily.