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DOTr extends free MRT-3 ride to June 30

Philippines | National

DOTr extends free MRT-3 ride to June 30

By Aaron Recuenco

Good news for MRT commuters.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has extended the free ride for riders of the Metro Rail Transit-3 until June 30 this year.

DOTr Sec. Art Tugade said the extension is part of the government assistance to commuters in Metro Manila amid the series of increase in the prices of oil products since December last year which has been affecting the prices of basic commodities too.

"We want to continuously assist to our kababayan amid this series of increase in the prices of basic commodities and fuel products," said Tugade.

The free MRT ride, ordered by President Duterte, started on March 28 to celebrate the significant improvement in the MRT services following the aggressive rehabilitation and procurement of additional trains.

It was supposed to end in May 30 but Tugade said it was agreed recently that the free be extended anew, this time, until June 30, the day President Duterte steps down from Malacanang.

MRT-3 General Manager Mike Capati said Tugade instructed him to study proposals for the MRT-3 free ride extension amid the series of oil price hikes in the past weeks.

“There was an instruction from Secretary (Tugade) to study and evaluate further extension of MRT-3 Libreng Sakay (free ride)," said Capati.

"Heeding the instruction, the MRT-3 management and rail sector discussed its possibility and after review, we endorsed and recommended the further extension which was approved by the Secretary," he added.

As of May 24, the DOTr revealed that more than 15 million MRT riders have benefitted from the free ride program.

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