By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Commuters can enjoy free rides on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2, as well as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 on Dec. 20 (Friday), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday.
In a Facebook post, Marcos said the initiative would benefit around 1.1 million passengers, considering that the highest ridership is usually logged on the last Friday before Christmas.
“Ikinagagalak kong ipabatid sa ating mga mananakay na libre ang sakay sa LRT-1, LRT-2, at MRT-3 bukas, Disyembre 20, 2024 (I am pleased to inform our riders that rides on LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 will be free tomorrow, December 20, 2024),” Marcos said.
“Tinatayang aabot sa 1.1 milyong pasahero ang sasakay sa mga linyang ito—ang pinakamataas na ridership na naitala ngayong taon (It is estimated that up to 1.1 million passengers will ride these lines—the highest ridership recorded this year),” he added.
Marcos said the free rides would help ease the burden of rising living expenses, especially since the Filipinos are busy preparing for Christmas.
“Nawa’y magdulot ito ng ginhawa at maramdaman ng lahat ang malasakit ng pamahalaan ngayong kapaskuhan (May this bring comfort and make everyone feel the government’s concern this holiday season),” he said.
The Office of the President will subsidize the free rides, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez said in a separate statement. (PNA)
