Over two million students are expected to benefit from the government’s free ride service at Light Rail Transit line 2, from August 22 to November 5, 2022 according to Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).
This developed as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) yesterday announced it has released the P1.4 billion funding to support the extended implementation of the Service Contracting of Public Utility Vehicle Program, the program that funds free rides for commuters along the EDSA Carousel Route.
DBM secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the Special Allotment Release Order and the Notice of Cash Allocation amounting to P1.4 billion to cover the additional funding requirements for the extended implementation of the Service Contracting Program, which supports the mobility requirements of students and the labor force.
It may be recalled that the program was set to end on July 31, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced its extension until December this year.
Pangandaman said this will support up to 50 million ridership from September 1 until December 31.
Aside from this, Pangandaman noted that the release of funds for the Service Contracting Program will benefit around 628 units of onboarded public utility buses on the EDSA Busway Route in the National Capital Region.
The Service Contracting Program provides financial support to transport service providers through performance-based payouts.
It was conceived to ensure efficient and safe operations of public transportation under the new normal condition for the benefit of the commuters, especially for students and the labor force traversing the EDSA route.
In a statement, Hernando Cabrera, LRTA administrator said that an estimated 2.2 million students are expected to benefit from the program as LRT-2 from Antipolo to Recto station is situated along 80 universities, colleges, and schools.
The weekday average ridership of LRT-2 before the pandemic was 90,000 to 100,000 per day.
“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 (DOTr), ” Cabrera said.
The Libreng Sakay program will be offered to students enrolled in kindergarten, elementary, high schools, technical- vocational, and college students daily 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.
All students who will avail of the free ride shall be subjected to the usual security inspection procedure and health and safety protocols at the stations/ trains.
Cabrera said 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 20 percent discount to students after the program.
The “Libreng Sakay Program,” which aims to ease the burden of Filipino families amidst the rising cost of fuel and essential commodities, and the still raging COVID 19 pandemic, was recommended by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a Cabinet meeting.