The 50% fare discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) riding LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 trains took effect yesterday.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the launch of a new Department of Transportation (DOTr) initiative, saying that the fare relief is an expansion of an earlier discount program for students and is aimed at further easing the financial burden of vulnerable sectors.
“Now we will add senior citizens and PWDs to that group,” Mr. Marcos said to a crowd of elderly commuters. “They can also get a 50% discount.”
The new discount doubles the previous 20% fare reduction for seniors and PWDs and takes effect immediately.
The measure follows the DOTr’s implementation last month of a similar 50% fare cut for students, in line with the President’s directive to improve access to affordable public transport.
After the ceremonial launch, President Marcos boarded a train with senior citizens, greeting and interacting with passengers before disembarking. He later inspected the construction site of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) at Camp Aguinaldo Station.
Mr. Marcos said the subway, which will run from Valenzuela to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is expected to cut travel time between those points from over two hours to approximately 40 minutes. He said the government is targeting partial operations of the Valenzuela to Ortigas segment by 2028.
He commended the DOTr and Japanese-led engineering teams involved in the project. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa joined the site visit, highlighting Japan’s role in the project.
“The Japanese are recognized as among the best in heavy engineering. I think we picked the right partner,” President Marcos said, referring to the tunnel boring machines and engineering approach observed during the inspection.
He also emphasized the training being provided to local engineers and workers.
“Most of the engineers working here are Filipinos. There are only one or two Japanese supervisors. It’s nice to see that Filipinos are very capable as long as they are given the right training,” he said.
The 33-kilometer MMSP is the country’s first underground railway and is part of the government’s efforts to modernize public transport and ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “PBBM launches 50% train fare discount for seniors, PWDs”
