The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Thursday that all passengers of MRT-3 and LRT-2 will enjoy a 50% fare discount starting March 23, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ease the burden of rising fuel costs on commuters.
In a video message, Marcos said:
“Pagagaanin natin ang araw-araw na biyahe. Sa MRT at LRT ay magdidiskwento po tayo sa pamasahe. Gagawin natin ang lahat para manatiling maayos at tuloy-tuloy ang biyahe ng bawat Pilipino.”
The DOTr clarified that half-price discounts will automatically apply to blue Beep cards used by regular commuters, while single-journey tickets will also be sold at reduced rates. Existing discounts for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students using white Beep cards will remain in effect.
Talks are ongoing with the private operator of LRT-1, which serves around 324,000 passengers daily, to extend a similar fare reduction.
The fare relief measure coincides with the temporary suspension of fare adjustments for public utility vehicles ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Meanwhile, transport group PISTON expressed dissatisfaction, calling the proposed ₱1.00 jeepney fare hike “insulting” and criticizing its cancellation by Marcos.
The group is staging a nationwide transport strike, demanding stronger government intervention such as the removal of the value-added tax on fuel and repeal of the oil deregulation law.