46,000 students avail of free MRT-3 rides

More students availed of the free ride at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3, with 2,478 recorded on Tuesday, the highest in a day since its start on July 1.

In an update, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the total number of free rides on the MRT-3 since the program started had reached 46,096 as of August 20.

“Sa kabuuan, 46,096 mag-aaral mula preschool hanggang kolehiyo, kasama na ang mula sa mga trade/vocational school, ang nag-benepisyo sa nasabing programa (In total, 46,096 students from preschool to college, including those from trade/vocational schools, have benefited from the program),” the DOTr said.

Free rides on the MRT-3 may be availed of by students from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, from 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Students only need to present their school identification card or registration form to station personnel located in a service gate to get their free ride.

Interested students are also invited to apply to the program by filling up an online form in the DOTr’s Student Free Ride Program website: tinyurl.com/y66f8nr4.

Personal applications are also accepted in Malasakit Help Desks in MRT-3 stations, which require a copy of a school ID, filled-up registration form, and a 2x2 ID picture.

However, students taking graduate studies are not covered by the free ride program, which the DOTr formed as an incentive for students to go to school early.

The free ride program also covers the Light Rail Transit (LRT) - 1, LRT-2, and the Philippine National Railway.