DOTr to give free MRT, LRT rides on Nov. 10 to 11 amid Uwan 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Nov. 9 announced free train rides in Metro Manila from November 10 to 11 due to the expected impact of Super Typhoon Uwan. 

The agency said the directive came from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to exhaust all means to expedite the aid delivery to those who are affected by the typhoon. 

“Due to the bad weather brought by Typhoon Uwan, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the DOTr to implement free rides on MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 for the entire day from November 10 to 11,” DOTr said. 

“The President has given strict orders to do everything possible to expedite the delivery of aid to our fellow citizens affected by the typhoon. That’s why we immediately mobilized all transportation sectors to help speed up the government’s relief and rescue operations,” the agency added.

Aside from trains, buses will be deployed by the Office of the President, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the office of Senator Erwin Tulfo to offer free rides on the following routes: Quiapo – Fairview, Quiapo – Angono, Lawton – Alabang, Roxas Boulevard – Sucat, and Taft – Cubao.

The PPA waived the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminal fees for government and private vehicles delivering rescue equipment and relief goods to typhoon-hit areas. 

The Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez also ordered the Toll Regulatory Board to waive toll fees on expressways for emergency response and rescue vehicles. 

Local airlines have waived cargo fees for relief goods bound for affected residents, while the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines continues to monitor the situation at airports affected by the storm. 

“The Department of Transportation is now focused on assisting our fellow citizens affected by Super Typhoon Uwan,” the acting chief said.

Several flights and sea trips have already been cancelled due to inclement weather caused by the super typhoon. The DOTr assures that stranded passengers in ports, airports, and bus terminals are being provided with food and water. 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on November 9 reported that Super Typhoon Uwan made its first landfall in Dinalungan, Aurora, around 9:10 p.m. 

By November 10, it had weakened and was no longer a ‘super typhoon’ as it moved along La Union’s coastal waters.