Various sectors will be getting their free passes to ride the trains over the holidays.
Beginning Sunday, December 14, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will offer free rides to passengers on LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3 for a 12-day period.
Touted as a “gesture of giving during the holiday season,” the free rides are being held to help train commuters save on transportation costs in preparation for Christmas.
Under the ‘Libreng Sakay’ program, LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3 will offer free rides on the following dates and sectors.
- Sunday, December 14 – Senior Citizens
- Monday, December 15 – Students
- Tuesday, December 16 – OFWs Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families
- Wednesday, December 17 – Teachers, Health Workers
- Thursday, December 18 – Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and all male passengers
- Friday, December 19 – Government employees
- Saturday, December 20 – All female passengers
- Sunday, December 21 – Families, regardless of number of members
- Monday, December 22 – Solo parents, members of LGBTQIA+
- Tuesday, December 23 – Private sector employees, kasambahays (househelpers)
- Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 – Uniformed personnel (Military, police, Coast Guard, security guards), veterans and their families
- Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 – ALL PASSENGERS
The transport chief encouraged eligible train passengers to avail of the whole day free rides, with these available for all multiple times, as long as they may fall under various sectors identified.
“The basic rule, since ito po ay pamaskong handog, sinabihan ko na po ang ating kasamahan sa LRT-1, LRT-2, at MRT-3 that we don’t have to be very strict [sa libreng sakay]. Ito naman po ay regalo ng ating Pangulo,” said Secretary Lopez.
In line with this, Lopez also addressed the queries of passengers about the free rides on December 22, which is allotted for solo parents and the LGBTQIA+ community.
The said category has gained attention on social media, with many asking how would the station personnel identify if one is part of that sector.
He explained, “Sa mga pasahero naman nating nasa LGBTQIA+, walang requirement. They just have to get their free ticket, and say that they are availing of the free ride, no questions asked.”
Lopez also noted that the agency celebrates inclusion and encouraged passengers to report any form of discrimination throughout the duration of the program.
“Dito sa DOTr, we celebrate inclusion. Safe space ito sa lahat ng sectors. So for anyone who might experience any form of discrimination during our 12 Days of Christmas program, i-message niyo lang kami sa DOTr at ako po mismo ang aaksyon dito,” the transport chief said.