Metro Manila students get half fare discount in MRT, LRT

Metro Manila, Philippines - Students in Metro Manila are benefiting from a half fare discount in trains beginning Friday, June 20, the Department of Transportation said.

All students, including those taking up postgraduate studies, can avail of the discount, it said, stemming from an order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“[M]agagamit sa train lines araw-araw, kahit Sabado, Linggo o holiday,” the DOTr said in its announcement. Malacañang added it will run until 2028, or the end of Marcos’ term.

[Translation: The discount can be used in train lines every day, even on Saturdays and Sundays or holidays.]

The promo is limited to single journey tickets, and does not cover stored value or Beep cards.

Effective June 20, student fares in MRT-3 are as low as P6 up to P14.

At LRT-1, tickets for students range from P10 to P28.

The DOTr said students should present their valid identification card within the current school year. They must buy the ticket at the counter to get the discount.

The 20 percent discount in public transportation fares covers senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities.

In a news briefing, Communications Undersecretary said the government is studying the possibility of increasing the senior citizen discount at the same rate.

“As much as possible, kung pwede nga pong ilibre lahat, iyon ang gusto ng pangulo,” Castro told reporters. “Pero aaralin po iyan at hindi naman po natin agad-agad maibibigay or kakayaning maibigay.”

[Translation: As much as possible, if it’s possible to make it free across the board, which the president wants. But it would be under study since the government cannot give it immediately or provide it feasibly.]