330 PWDs allowed to ride for free on LRT

At least 330 persons with disabilities (PWDs) allowed to ride for free on the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 on the International Day of PWDs, the LRT Authority said. Also, LRTA spokesman Hernando Cabrera said that PWDs will be provided special LRT coach and a 20-percent fare discount for the rest of the year. "Total of 172 PWDs availed of LRT 1 and 2 free ride this morning," he said on his Twitter account Monday noon. On Monday evening, he said another 158 availed of free rides at the LRT Lines 1 and 2. Last Friday, Cabrera said the LRT and MRT would give free rides for PWDs to mark the International Day of PWDs. Monday's free rides were from 7 to 9 a.m., and from 5 to 7 p.m., Cabrera said. The LRT-1 line links Roosevelt in Quezon City to Baclaran in southern Metro Manila, while LRT-2 links C.M. Recto in Manila to Santolan in eastern Metro Manila. MRT-3 links Taft Avenue in Pasay City and North Avenue in Quezon City via Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). According to the United Nations, over one billion people, or 15 percent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability. It said PWDs often face barriers to participation in all aspects of society. The theme for 2012's International Day of PWDs is “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.” — DVM, GMA News