Youth activists staged a signature campaign on Thursday morning, March 19, at the MRT-3 North Avenue Station, in Quezon City, calling on the government to provide free rides on trains and buses as fuel prices continue to rise.

Members of the Akbayan Youth carried oversized signage and launched a civilian petition under the campaign “Hawak Mo Ang Beep,” urging authorities to make rides on the MRT, LRT, and public buses free to ease the burden on commuters.

Akbayan Youth National chairperson, Khylla Meneses, said suspending fare increases alone would not be enough to help commuters and transport workers affected by higher fuel costs linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

“Hindi sapat ang pagsuspinde sa pagtaas ng pamasahe,” Meneses said.

“Commuters and transport workers are already struggling. The government must act decisively. Declare a fuel emergency. Subsidize transport workers. Make rides free,” she added.

The group said the action was meant to highlight the daily struggles of millions of Filipinos who rely on crowded public transportation while facing increasing travel expenses.

“Students shouldn’t skip school just to afford the commute. Workers shouldn’t go hungry just to get to work. Commuters shouldn’t pay for a crisis they didn’t create,” Meneses added.

According to the youth organization, temporary measures such as pausing fare hikes are only short-term solutions to what they described as a growing transportation crisis.

“Mas maluwag pa ang lata ng sardinas sa araw-araw na komyut ng mga Pilipino, dagdag pa ang bangungot na pamasahe (A can of sardines is more than enough for Filipinos' daily commute, adding to the nightmare fare)This is a transportation crisis, not convenience,” Meneses said.

After the activity at North Avenue Station, the group said it would continue its petition drive later in the afternoon at the LRT-1 Central Station to gather more signatures from commuters.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation announced that commuters riding the Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3 and Light Rail Transit Line 2 will receive a 50 percent fare discount starting Monday, March 23.

The agency also said it is currently in talks with the management of Light Rail Transit Line 1 regarding a possible fare discount for its passengers.