Commuters on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) can ride for free every Wednesday this August, provided they present their national identification card, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
In a Facebook advisory posted Wednesday, the DOTr said the free ride initiative—available from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.—aims to promote the use of the national ID system for more efficient public and private transactions.
“The Libreng Sakay (free ride) is in line with the goal of President Marcos to encourage the use of the National ID… for faster and more inclusive delivery of social services,” the agency stated.
Acceptable forms include the physical ID, a printed copy, or the digital version of the national ID.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon also revealed that the DOTr is working to open up the MRT-3 and both Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines to more card payment providers by next year, giving commuters greater flexibility in payment options.
Currently, a pilot test of cashless payments is being conducted at MRT-3 stations, where riders can use GCash and bank cards. However, the rollout has seen technical hiccups, particularly with “tap-out” errors. Affected passengers are being offered free train tickets as compensation.
Dizon also addressed a letter from former Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, who raised concerns about the shortage of stored value Beep cards, malfunctioning ticket vending machines, and long queues—especially for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) availing of fare discounts.
In response, Dizon said he has already instructed the supplier of Beep cards to replenish stocks and is coordinating with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to crack down on online sellers of fake Beep cards.
“[W]hat’s worse is due to the shortage, there are those taking advantage of that on the internet and selling fake Beep cards,” Dizon said.
To address broken ticket machines, Dizon said contractors have been directed to speed up repairs and warned of penalties for delays. He also acknowledged the long lines for seniors and PWDs and said discussions with COA are underway to find ways to simplify the verification process for discounted fares.
He explained that special Beep cards are already available for these sectors, offering an automatic 50% discount.
As for Mendoza’s concern about sudden train service suspensions, Dizon clarified that LRT-2 had to briefly halt operations on Tuesday after a lightning strike hit a catenary wire near Antipolo station. Operations resumed after an hour, with shuttle vans temporarily deployed to assist passengers.
Despite the DOTr’s reduced maintenance budget, Dizon assured the public that they will push forward with daily assessments and solutions. “We will continue to follow the directives of [President Marcos] to check every day what needs to be fixed in order to make the difficult daily commute more convenient and comfortable for our countrymen,” he said.
