The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will launch its “12 Days of Christmas” free-ride program on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 from December 14 to 25, offering free rides to various sectors as part of efforts to ease commuting during the holiday rush.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced that each day of the 12-day program will be dedicated to a specific group of passengers.
Senior citizens will enjoy free rides on Dec. 14, followed by students on Dec. 15, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families on Dec. 16, teachers and healthcare workers on Dec. 17, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and male passengers on Dec. 18, and government employees on Dec. 19.
Female passengers will benefit on Dec. 20, families on Dec. 21, solo parents and members of the LGBTQIA+ community on Dec. 22, private sector employees and household helpers on Dec. 23, and uniformed personnel, veterans, and their families on Dec. 24.
The program culminates on Dec. 25, Christmas Day, with free rides for all commuters.
Lopez said he has instructed the management of MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 to make it easier for commuters to take advantage of the free ride program.
“This is the basic rule, since this is a Christmas gift… you don’t have to be very strict,” Lopez said in a chance interview.
“For example, let’s say male passengers. Do you still need an ID? You don’t need an ID there, right? But for senior citizens, you might need one. But if they look old, we’ll allow it,” he shared.
He said uniformed personnel may also need to present their IDs, but not unless they are wearing their uniforms.
As for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Lopez said the same relaxed policy applies.
“We know that there is no ID when it comes to LGBTQ. All you have to do is just admit it, and that’s acceptable to us. We’ll allow it,” he said.
In a related development, the DOTr said it has installed a new lighting system across the 13 MRT-3 stations to ensure the safety of passengers, especially during the holiday season.
To this end, additional personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deployed throughout the stations. (Dexter Barro II)
