According to MRT OIC General Manager Michael Capati, the program has benefited 15,730,000 commuters from March 28 to May 28 alone.
The Transportation Department estimated revenue losses amounting to ₱286 million from the program, but assured that the amount will not be recovered from other public transport fares.
Meanwhile, other train lines like the Philippine National Railways and Light Rail Transit explained why they could not easily provide free rides to passengers.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) — The commuting public can continue to enjoy free MRT-3 rides until June 30, the last day of President Rodrigo Duterte in office.
The Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday that the “Libreng Sakay” program has been extended until next month, for the entirety of its operating hours from 4:40 a.m. to 10:10 p.m.
Free rides at the MRT-3 started on March 28 and was initially meant to last until April 30 only. It was first extended until May 30.
“Layon ng Department of Transportation, sa pangunguna ni Secretary Art Tugade at ng DOTr MRT-3 management, na patuloy na makapaghatid ng tulong sa ating mga kababayang patuloy na naaapektuhan ng pagtaas ng mga bilihin at krudo,” the DOTr said in a statement.
[Translation: The DOTr, under the leadership of Secretary Art Tugade and the DOTr MRT-3 management, aims to continue serving the people to cushion the burden of those affected by increasing prices of goods and fuel.]
JUST IN: LIBRENG SAKAY SA MRT-3, EXTENDED MULI HANGGANG JUNE 30!
Magpapatuloy ang libreng sakay sa MRT-3 hanggang ika-30 ng Hunyo 2022 sa kabuuan ng operating hours mula 4:40AM hanggang 10:10PM.
Buong detalye: https://t.co/g94k8lgoXC pic.twitter.com/2bkixNGlUI
— DOTrPH 🇵🇭 (@DOTrPH) May 25, 2022
“On the case of PNR, we run on diesel, apektado kami sa volatility ng fuel prices. May exposure kami doon. If we give it for free baka lalo tayo kainin ng volatility (we are exposed to fuel price increase. If we give free rides we might suffer even more),” PNR General Manager Jun Magno told CNN Philippines.
“We are governed by concession agreement between Light Rail Manila Corporation and Philippine government so any considerations in fare must be in accordance with the concession agreement,” LRTA Administrator Jeremy Regino said.
The DOTR has a budget of ₱7.1 billion for the free ride program under the General Appropriations Act. Another ₱108 million will be allotted for the program’s extension next month, it said.
Officials of the train line said expressed hope that the next administration will continue offering free rides and implementing other helpful programs for the masses.
CNN Philippines’ Crissy Dimatulac contributed to this report.
