The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has expressed full support for the implementation of the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) 'Libreng Sakay' program for students in Metro Manila.
This is in accordance with the memorandum that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. approved, which provides that students who ride the LRT-2, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3, and Philippine National Railways will no longer be charged for their fare (PNR).
According to the LRTA, this is in conjunction with the goal of assisting students amid the pandemic's ongoing effects.
"We share the DOTr's goal of assisting students whose learning outcomes were impacted by the pandemic, as well as their parents," LRTA said.
The agency anticipates that many students will benefit from the free ride program of the government, particularly given that its train line running from Recto to Antipolo passes through the university belt in Metro Manila.
LRTA added that the Free Ride program will be implemented in August when face-to-face classes begin and will continue until the first quarter of 2023.