LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) said it served more than 460,000 passengers daily during the recently concluded four-day free ride initiative between April 30 and May 3 as part of Labor Day celebrations.
That meant at least P7.36 million in forgone daily fare for LRMC during the four-day scheme.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), meanwhile, said the free rides for four days benefited “nearly 4.3 million” passengers combined for all three rail lines – LRT1, LRT2, and MRT3.
It did not provide a breakdown of the total but said in a social media post that the initiative “saw record-breaking ridership on MRT-3, which served over 481,000 passengers on April 30 alone—its highest single-day ridership since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
LRMC in a statement said the initiative, spearheaded by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was part of Labor Day celebrations and was aimed at providing commuters, especially the workforce, with “accessible and convenient transportation.”
The company said it closely coordinated with the DOTr and the Light Rail Transit Authority to ensure the smooth operation of LRT-1 throughout the free ride period, allowing a significant number of Filipinos to travel conveniently across Metro Manila during the four days.
“This initiative is a testament to the collaboration between the private and the public sectors. Our strong partnership with the government is fundamental to our commitment to enhancing the commuting experience and providing greater convenience to the Filipino people,” said Enrico Benipayo, LRMC chief executive officer (CEO) and president.
Benipayo noted the significant number of passengers served by LRT-1, which he said “underscores the railway line’s role in Metro Manila’s transportation network and the positive impact of government-private sector collaboration in addressing the needs of commuters.”
Media reports last year pegged LRT1’s average ridership at 298,740, prior to the extension of the line up to Dr. Santos Avenue in Paranaque in November. Official figures from LRMC for the period were not available as of press time. Last November, over a week before the extension of the line became operational, LRMC said it’s average ridership was at 323,000 daily, with an additional 80,000 riders expected once Phase 1 of the extension becomes operational.
