DOTr, MRT3 to study possible extension of free train rides

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) management will study if they should extend offering free rides beyond April 30, MRT3 OIC-general manager Mike Capati said on Tuesday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Capati said the first day of free rides was successful after serving a total of 281,507 passengers on Monday.

“Pag-aaralan natin iyan, ng MRT at saka DOTr management, kung puwede natin i-extend at para naman makatulong tayo sa subsidy ng mga mananakay natin,” he said.

(MRT and DOTr management will study if we can extend the free rides so we can help our commuters.)

A report on 24 Oras said that the free service caused long lines in various train stations on Monday, but the passengers remained delighted. They said the free rides were a huge help amid the rising prices of basic commodities.

Capati said they are expecting 300,000 to 400,000 passengers daily while the free ride scheme is in effect from March 28 to April 30. 

By 2023, MRT3 will shift to a configuration of four-car trains and get rid of the three-car trains so that more passengers can be served, according to Capati. —VBL, GMA News