LRT-2 ‘Libreng Sakay’ will not be extended

MANILA: The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) stated that it has no plans to extend the “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) program for students at the LRT Line 2 (LRT-2) in order to generate the funds needed for the maintenance and improvement of the rail service.

According to the LRTA, the free ride program only covered the first quarter of the current school year, resulting in a total lost revenue of P30 million.

“The program was designed to provide some form of assistance to families suffering financial constraints due to the pandemic and with the start of face-to-face classes on August 22, 2022,” the public transport operator stated.

It reported that a total of 1,623,473 students received free rides on the LRT-2 from August 22 to November 5.

“The continued free ride would deprive LRTA of needed funds for its [rehabilitation> and upgrading projects,” LRTA added.

It stated that students and other qualified individuals can get a 20% discount.

Students can avail of the discount by presenting their ID or filling out a registration form at the LRT-2's Passenger Assistance Office or at any ticket booth.

Photo by Rico H. Borja/Philippine News Agency

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