Manila: Nearly 4.3 million commuters were given free rides across three rail services in Metro Manila during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Labor Day 'Libreng Sakay' initiative.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon stated that the free rides at the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 (LRT-1), Line 2 (LRT-2), and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) were intended to honor the sacrifices of Filipino workers and ease the burden of daily commuters. Dizon emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that it would become an annual event every Labor Day to recognize the contributions of the country's workers.

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), which operates and maintains LRT-1, reported an average of 460,000 passengers daily from April 30 to May 3. Enrico Benipayo, LRMC president and CEO, highlighted the collaboration between the private and public sectors as essential to improving the commuting experience and providing greater convenience to Filipinos.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), responsible for LRT-2, recorded a total of 787,284 passengers during the free ride period. The authority noted a record number of passengers on May 2, with 234,888 individuals using the service, surpassing the previous post-pandemic record.

Meanwhile, the MRT-3 reported a total of 1,618,541 passengers during the same period, with a record number of passengers on April 30, reaching 481,156 in a single day. The initiative aimed to show appreciation for the contributions of Filipino workers while promoting public trust and patronage for mass transportation.