The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Friday a substantial increase in student fare discount on major elevated rail lines, effective immediately.
The discount for students riding Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), LRT Line 2 (LRT-2) and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) was raised to 50 percent from 20 percent.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the enhanced discount is a direct response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to help alleviate students’ expenses for the current school year.
He said the initiative is a collaborative effort between the DOTr, MRT-3, Light Rail Transit Administration (LRTA) and Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).
“The President has directed us to increase the student discount for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 fares from the previous 20 percent to 50 percent,” Dizon said at the program’s launch at the LRT-2 Antipolo Station.
He said the increased saving would be a “big help to families, especially parents who are struggling to send their children to school. What they save, they can allocate to other expenses such as projects, additional allowances, or other school expenses.”
The expanded discount is expected to benefit a large number of students, particularly those attending universities in Manila’s “University Belt” area, which is served by the LRT-2 line, he said.
“It’s good that at least this benefit goes directly into the pockets of the students and their families,” Dizon said.
The 50-percent discount applies daily, including weekends and holidays, and will remain in effect until 2028. It is available to all students, including those pursuing postgraduate studies.
