A measure that aims to curb the effects of the oil price hikes for the public.
On Thursday, March 19, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that it will implement a 50% discount for all passengers of the government-run train lines MRT-3 and LRT-2 starting Monday, March 23.
The said move is part of government’s action plan to lessen the burden of the expected price increase across the board due to the recent major oil price hikes amid the region-wide conflict in the Middle East.
“Pagagaanin natin ang araw-araw na biyahe. Sa MRT at LRT ay magdidiskwento po tayo sa pamasahe. Gagawin natin ang lahat para manatiling maayos at tuloy-tuloy ang biyahe ng bawat Pilipino,” said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in his message on Wednesday.
For his part, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said, “Ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat para maibsan ang paghihirap ng mga Pilipino sa gitna ng gulo sa Middle East. Prayoridad natin ang tuloy-tuloy na biyahe at mas murang pamasahe kaya magbibigay tayo ng 50% discount sa MRT-3 at LRT-2 para sa lahat.”
For regular passengers, the 50% discount can be availaed through blue beep cards, which will have the fare automatically adjusted. For those without one, they can purchase single journey tickets (SJTs) that already have the reduced fares.
As regards to the 50% discount for senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), especially for those using the whie beep cards, it will remain in effect.
For Lopez, the fare reduction willy greatly help passengers in saving up their money, and also said it will entice those with cars to instead choose public transportation as a wau to commute to work.
Meanwhile, the DOTr and the LRT-1 management, which is under the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), are still in talks regarding the implementation of the said scheme.