Manila: Over 130,000 students and senior citizens took advantage of the free rides offered during the initial two days of the '12 Days of Christmas Libreng Sakay' at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).
According to Philippines News Agency, the MRT-3 reported that on the first day of the program, Sunday, 11,985 senior citizens availed themselves of the free rides. On Monday, the initiative extended its offer to students, with 35,872 enjoying complimentary rides on the MRT-3.
In parallel, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), responsible for the LRT-2's operations and maintenance, revealed that 8,844 seniors benefited from free rides on Sunday, while 75,099 students took advantage of the offer on Monday.
The free ride program, spanning 12 days, is also accessible at the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1). However, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), which operates and maintains the LRT-1, has not yet disclosed ridership data related to the program.
The MRT-3 announced that on a particular day, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families could also enjoy the free rides, highlighting the inclusivity of the scheme. Several OFWs and their families, interviewed at the MRT-3 EDSA Station, expressed their appreciation for the initiative introduced by the Marcos administration.
One of the beneficiaries, Florentina, an OFW, expressed her hope for more such initiatives for OFWs in the future. She encountered a minor inconvenience as she was unaware that an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID was required to avail of the free ride.
Similarly, Michael, a seaman, faced initial challenges due to the requirement for OFW verification. However, upon presenting his Seaman's Union ID, he was able to avail of the free ride. He noted the initial confusion but was ultimately satisfied with the resolution.
