Light Rail Transit Authority — operator of the LRT Line 2 traversing along 80 universities, colleges, and schools — expects about 2.2 million students will benefit from the government’s free ride program that will run for two weeks.
“We have prepared a system to ensure the safe, smooth, and efficient implementation of the program in compliance with the directive of the Department of Transportation,” LRTA administrator Hernando T. Cabrera said Tuesday.
Cabrera added that the free ride will be only offered this first quarter of the school year 2022-2023 in time for the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes and will revert to the grant of a 20 percent discount to students after the program.
Pre-pandemic, the typical weekday average ridership of LRT-2 is around 90,000 to 100,000 per day.
DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista recommended resuming the government’s “Libreng Sakay Program” during the second Cabinet meeting to help ease the burden of student passengers amid the resumption of physical school classes.
The LibrengSakay, which will start on 22 August until 5 November, will be offered to students enrolled in nursery, elementary, high schools, technical-vocational, and college students from Mondays to Saturdays, except Sundays and holidays from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
However, the program does not cover students taking graduate studies.
To avail of the free ride, students must present their original school ID or original registration form at the Passenger Assistance Office for the issuance of the Free Ride Ticket.
The Free Ride Single Journey Ticket is non-transferrable and valid only for one day.