DOTr launches students’ beep card with 50% discount to cut purchasing hassle

Ian Paolo Villacencio

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has rolled out a new system, allowing senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to enjoy a 50 percent fare discount on MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 without the need for form submission, starting on August 13.

The transportation department also announced that by September, special beep cards for students, that were automatically-programmed with the discount, will be available, the same for the PWDs and senior citizen sectors. 

These initiatives aimed to streamline the process for eligible commuters, reducing wait times, while ensuring access to discounted fares.

DOTr secretary Vince Dizon said the recent fare discount developments will save time and ease inconvenience, while also noting that the process used to take one-and-a-half minutes, causing delays.

Way back in June, the discount was raised from 20% to 50% as per the President’s orders.

“Yung dating 20 percent discount lang sa estudyante ay inutos ng ating Pangulo na gawing 50 percent. Tuloy-tuloy na ito… Every day of the week, Monday to Sunday, pati holidays kasama rin,” Dizon stated.

Through estimates by Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), students commuting five days a week save ₱170 weekly, which means it’ll save ₱680 on a monthly basis.

Dizon emphasized that the said discounts will be shouldered by the government itself.

“At the end of the day, the taxpayers still pay for this pero mabuti na rin kasi at least diretso sa bulsa ng mga estudyante natin at mga pamilya nila yung benepisyo. Walang leakage, diretsong tulong ito,” he added.

Meanwhile, students taking post-graduate studies can also avail the specialized discount.