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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider DOTr reports nearly 3-million beneficiaries of free LRT, MRT ride program

DOTr reports nearly 3-million beneficiaries of free LRT, MRT ride program

Published Dec 26, 2025 03:11 pm
Scores of commuters take the LRT-1 going to their destinations. (Mark Balmores)
Scores of commuters take the LRT-1 going to their destinations. (Mark Balmores)
Some 2.84 million passengers benefited from free rides across the three rail lines in Metro Manila under the “12 Days of Christmas” program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the free ride program, which ran from Dec. 14 to 25, served a total of 2,841,788 passengers.
He said this high level of participation among commuters demonstrates the government’s pursuit of making public transportation more accessible and inclusive.
"This overwhelming response demonstrates the importance of accessible public transportation in the lives of Filipino families, especially during the Christmas season,” Lopez said in a statement.
“We are honored to serve almost 3 million commuters through this program, providing them with safe, reliable, and free transportation as they celebrate the holidays with their loved ones,” he added.
Based on DOTr data, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) recorded the highest ridership over the 12-day period with a total of 1,183,950 commuters.
Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) stood at second with 1,091,951 passengers, while LRT-2 accommodated 565,887 riders.
Dec. 25, or Christmas Day, recorded the program’s largest total in its 12-day run, with 835,777 across the three rail lines, as free rides were provided to all commuters.
The second-highest turnout was on Dec. 18, a day designated for male passengers and persons with disabilities (PWDs), amounting to 550,138 passengers in total.
Under the DOTr’s “12 Days of Christmas” program, each day was dedicated to a specific sector that may avail of free rides.
Senior citizens received free rides on Dec. 14, with students benefiting on Dec. 15, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families on Dec. 16, teachers and healthcare workers on Dec. 17, PWDs and male passengers on Dec. 18, and government employees on Dec. 19.
Female passengers enjoyed the program on Dec. 20, followed by families on Dec. 21, solo parents and members of the LGBTQIA+ community on Dec. 22, private sector employees and household helpers on Dec. 23, uniformed personnel, veterans, and their families on Dec. 24, and culminating on Dec. 25 with free rides for all commuters.
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