LRTA: Over 2.2M students to benefit from free train rides on LRT2

More than two million students are expected to benefit from the free train rides for students on the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2), the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said Tuesday.

In a statement, LRTA Administrator Atty. Hernando Cabrera said an estimated 2.2 million students will benefit from the “Libreng Sakay” program on LRT2 that will run from the opening of classes on August 22, 2022 until November 5, 2022.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier said that the free train rides for students program will be recalibrated and can only be availed on LRT2 as rides at the Philippine National Railways (PNR) are already “heavily subsidized”. The government has also implemented free rides for all on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) for over three months. 

Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez had said that the free train rides for students will be implemented only on LRT2 since it has more student ridership than MRT3 and PNR.

Cabrera said that 80 universities, colleges, and schools are on the route of the LRT2 line from Antipolo, Rizal to Recto Avenue in Manila.

The typical weekday average ridership of LRT2 before the pandemic is 90,000-100,000 per day, according to the LRTA chief.

The Libreng Sakay Program, which aims to ease the burden of Filipino families amid the rising cost of fuel and essential commodities, and the still raging COVID-19 pandemic, was recommended by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the second Cabinet meeting. 

“We have prepared a system to ensure the safe, smooth, and efficient implementation of the program in compliance with the directive of the Department of Transportation,” Cabrera said.

The LRTA chief said the Libreng Sakay will be offered to students enrolled in nursery/kindergarten, elementary/primary, high schools, technical-vocational, and college students daily from Mondays to Saturdays, except Sundays and holidays from 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The program does not cover students taking graduate studies.

To avail of the free ride, students must present their original school ID or original registration form at the Passenger Assistance Office (PAO) for the issuance of the free ride ticket.

The free ride single journey ticket is non-transferrable and valid only for one day.

All students who will avail of the free ride shall be subjected to the usual security inspection procedure and health and safety protocols at the train stations.

Cabrera said that the free rides will be only offered this first quarter of the school year 2022-2023 in time for the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes and will revert to the grant of 20% discount to students after the program. —KG, GMA News