DOTr extends free train rides

MANILA, Philippines — Free train rides for vaccinated commuters will continue until Sept. 7, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced yesterday.

The DOTr extended the free rides for vaccinated authorized persons outside of residence or APORs at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and Philippine National Railways (PNR) while Metro Manila remains under modified enhanced community quarantine.

“Vaccinated commuters can avail themselves of free train rides until Sept. 7, with further extensions to be re-evaluated later,” the DOTr said.

Passengers who have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccines can ride MRT-3 and LRT-2 trains for free from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The PNR is offering free train rides for APORs from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. onwards.

Passengers must show proof that they are APORs, such as a company ID or certificate of employment. Those aged 18 to 65 working in industries allowed to operate during the pandemic are considered APORs.

The free train ride program is in line with the directive of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the MRT-3 management reported that 1,067 employees composed of depot personnel, train drivers, ticket sellers, maintenance crew and technical workers of the rail line have been fully vaccinated.