Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will now enjoy a 50 percent fare discount on the MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 thanks to newly issued Beep Cards with the discount already embedded, a move aimed at simplifying and speeding up their commutes.
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Streamlined Distribution
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), each train station will release 100 white Beep Cards every day for members of these priority sectors. Distribution begins at 8 a.m. and will continue until supplies are exhausted, with cards given out on a first-come, first-served basis. If a station runs out, commuters can check with station managers for nearby locations still carrying cards and even avail of a free train ride to get there.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez led the launch of the program at the LRT-2 Legarda Station. Marcos emphasized the faster turnaround time for card issuance.
“The processing has been expedited. Now it only takes 3 minutes. After printing, they can use that (white Beep Card). I told the students, you no longer have an excuse to be late,” the President remarked in a DOTr statement.
Lopez added that starting October, the DOTr will roll out school caravans to make it easier for students to claim their cards. The agency is also exploring an online application portal for smoother processing in the future.
Expanding Accessibility
The cards, which cost a one-time fee of ?30, are available at all 51 stations of MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 during operating hours. Applicants only need to present a valid student ID, enrollment certificate, or senior citizen/PWD card. Student Beep Cards must be renewed or reactivated every school year.
The DOTr clarified that the program will continue until its partner, AF Payments, is able to produce a larger supply of white Beep Cards. This new distribution follows earlier delays due to system issues that pushed the official rollout from September 15 to September 20.
A Way to Ease the Hassle of Daily Commute
For many commuters, the expansion of discounted Beep Cards is seen as a step toward improving access to affordable public transport. While the MRT and LRT systems still face issues such as overcrowding, outdated infrastructure, and occasional service disruptions, initiatives like these aim to make travel more inclusive and responsive to the needs of vulnerable sectors.
By embedding discounts directly into the Beep Cards, the DOTr is helping passengers spend less time queuing and more time reaching their destinations.
