Students will be happy with this news. They will be given free rides by the DOTr (Department of Transportation) from Monday – Friday at selected hours. This will give them some ease on the budget. This program will cover Pre-school, primary, secondary, and tertiary level students. Students enrolled in technical, vocational schools, arts, training centers, and trade will also be entitled to these free rides.
The DOTr will be putting up application centers in the major PNR, MRT-3, and LRT-2 stations. The students will be able to apply for their student pass/ID in the designated stations. The application for the non-transferable student ID/pass will only be available during the beginning of the semester or school year. This will be valid for one semester or school year. The CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) and ports owned by the PPA (Philippine Ports Authority) will also give exemptions to students from paying airport terminal fees.
The DOTr had also waived terminal fees in seaports owned by the PPA for PWDs, senior citizens, and uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Armed Forces of the Philippines in active service. The department made it clear however that students enrolled in short courses or seminar-type like driving, and dancing schools are not included. Students enrolled in graduate studies are not included in the program too.
Arthur Tugade, DOTr Secretary had announced on Thursday that the students can ride for free on the following schedule;
MRT-3 (Metro Rail Transit Line 3) – from 5am to 6am and from 3pm to 4pm
LRT 2 (Light Rail Transit Line 2) – from 4:30am to 6am and from 3pm to 4pm
PNR (Philippine National Railways) – from 5am to 6:30am and from 3pm to 4:30pm
Students are reminded to bring their student pass/ID with them to avail of these free rides.