President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to raise the train fare discount for those aged 60 years old and above from 20 percent to 50 percent, matching the discount rate given to students.
In the latest podcast interview aired yesterday, President Marcos said other countries give fare discounts to senior citizens and students.
“These are the sectors of the society na hirap sa cash. Walang pera ang estudyante usually. ‘Yung mga matatanda, kakaunti lang ang hawak nilang pera. So, bakit pa natin pababayarin? They already served the country, na nagtrabaho sila ng buong buhay nila eh dapat naman bigyan natin ng kaunting benepisyo ‘yun ‘di ba?” the President said.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro however said the President’s desire to increase the senior discount to 50 percent is still “being studied.”
‘’As much as possible, the President wishes to make it free for everyone. But, we will study that and we cannot implement that immediately,’’ she said during a press briefing.
Upon the directive of President Marcos, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday increased the discount for all students from 20 percent to 50 percent for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3.
The increased student discount is available to all students, including those enrolled in postgraduate studies and law school programs, according to the DOTR. They only need to show their identification cards for the current school year.
The discount is applicable every day, including weekends and holidays.
Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Student Fare Discount Act, and Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20% discount in public transportation fares.
But the promo is valid for Single Journey Ticket only and not applicable for Beep Cards or Stored Value Tickets. Students must buy the ticket at the ticket counter to avail of the promo.
It was not clear whether the new discount rate for students would only be for single journey tickets.
