The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said it posted P30 million in foregone revenues in the first quarter of the school year under the government’s Student Libreng Sakay Program.
The agency said the amount could have been used to fund upgrading and rehabilitation projects for the LRT2 System.
“The continued free ride would deprive LRTA of needed funds for its rehab and upgrading projects,” the LRTA said.
The LRTA, however, said the Student Libreng Sakay Program benefited a total of 1,623,473 students by the end of the free ride program last November 5, 2022.
The Student Libreng Sakay Program is intentionally designed to cover only the first quarter of the current school year, and thereafter, the usual 20-percent Student Fare Discount will be implemented.
The program was designed to provide some form of assistance to families suffering financial constraints due to the pandemic and with the start of face-to-face classes on August 22.
To ensure the continuous delivery of transport financial assistance for our students, LRTA on November 6, has started giving them a 20-percent fare discount, which they could avail of, by presenting their IDs or filling out the registration form at the Passenger Assistance Office or Ticket Booth.