MANILA, PHILIPPINES — On Wednesday, LTRA (Light Rail Transit Authority) administrator Hernando Cabrera said that on August 22, the LRT-2 would begin offering free rides to students.

Cabrera explained in the public briefing, “Ang gagawin lang ng mga estudyante, ipapakita nila ang kanilang ID or kanilang proof of enrollment sa ating passenger assistance center. Kapalit nito ay bibigyan sila ng single-journey ticket na pwede nilang gamitin.“

(All the students need to do is show their ID or their proof of enrollment at our passenger assistance center. In exchange, they will be given a single-journey ticket that they can use)

Cabrera added that the Libreng Sakay (Free Ride) program for students is due to the directive of the president. 

The president recently had a meeting in the Malacañang Palace with the transport officials, with DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista and Executive Secretary Attorney Vic Rodriguez as heads of the delegation.

On Monday, August 8, PBBM approved a memorandum submitted by the DOTr (Department of Transportation) for an extension to the free EDSA Carousel bus rides. The extended EDSA Carousel bus rides will last until December 2022.

The memo also seeks to provide free rides for students using the MRT-3, LRT-2, and the PNR come the resuming of classes in August.

“Considering the welfare of students, however, whose learning outcomes have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, the undersigned recommends implementing a Libreng Sakay for Students Program for the First Quarter of School Year 2022-2023, or from 22 August 2022 to 04 November 2022.  The Libreng Sakay for students will be implemented in MRT-3.  LRT-2, and PNR,” DOTr Secretary Bautista said. 

On the other hand, DOTr have also recommended halting the free rides for the MRT-3.

According to the transportation agency, the current fares for MRT-3 are already heavily subsidized. This was an essential factor in the decision to recommend the discontinuation of the free rides for all its passengers. –WhatALife!/Zed

Source: (1), (2)

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