TO avoid delays and inconvenience in the rail system, the Department of Transportation has removed the requirement to fill out forms to avail of 50 percent fare discounts. It will roll out 300,000 new regular Beep Cards next week to address the ongoing shortage affecting commuters.
“By next week, there will no longer be a shortage of Beep Cards. Beep Card [the provider] will be completing a delivery of 300,000 additional cards across MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2. That’s the shortage we calculated,” Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced in a statement on Wednesday.
Dizon also warned that syndicates hoarding Beep Cards and reselling them at P300 each will be arrested.
“There are syndicates buying in bulk at stations. We are coordinating with the PNP and SAICT. We will monitor every station to catch these scammers. We will have them arrested and jailed,” he added.
In addition, white personalized beep cards for students will be available starting next month, in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to make student commutes faster and more convenient.
Dizon said with personalized beep cards, students will no longer need to line up to avail of the 50 percent fare discount on MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2.
He said the white beep cards with the student’s name are valid for one year and renewable after every school year. Students just need to go to the station next month, show their ID and print the beep card right then and there, Dizon added.
“The President has clearly instructed us to ensure that student travel is fast and convenient so they won’t be late for class. Starting September, they won’t have a hard time anymore,” Dizon said during his inspection at the LRT-2 Antipolo Station.
White beep cards are also currently available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), who automatically receive a 50 percent fare discount.
To further improve commuters’ experience, Marcos has ordered the removal of the requirement for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to fill out forms to avail of the discount at the rail system.
Dizon announced that starting August 13, passengers will no longer need to fill out forms to get the discount, as the process was causing unnecessary delays and inconvenience.
“I observed earlier a student filling out the form—it took almost 1 to 1 minute and 30 seconds just for the form. That’s wasted time for the student and other passengers,” explained Secretary Dizon.
Meanwhile, LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) announced that students, senior citizens, and PWDs will no longer be required to fill out forms at LRT-1 stations when purchasing Single Journey Tickets (SJTs). They simply need to present their valid ID at the teller booths to receive their discount.
This initiative, developed in close cooperation with the government through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), underscores a shared dedication to public service and accessibility, LRMC said.
The company said the new process aims to reduce transaction times at teller booths and provide a more seamless and dignified experience for discount-eligible passengers. LRMC added that it is exploring further innovation to ensure that LRT-1 remains safe, reliable, and comfortable.
