Student beep cards with automatic 50% discount out in September

Personalized student beep cards granting automatic 50% fare discounts in Metro Manila’s rail lines will be available in September, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Wednesday.

“Simula September, hindi na sila mahihirapan.... Pupunta lang sila sa kahit anong station next month, ipapakita ang ID at ipi-print ang beep card right then and there. Ire-renew lang nila ‘yan every after school year,” said Secretary Vince Dizon.

(Starting in September, students will no longer have a hard time. They just need to go to any station next month, show their ID, and the beep card will be printed right then and there. They only need to renew it after every school year.)

The white, personalized beep cards will be valid for one year, displaying the student’s name, and can be renewed every school year. Students simply need to visit any MRT-3, LRT-1, or LRT-2 station starting next month, present their school ID, and have their personalized card printed on the spot.

The same white beep cards are already available to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), who also automatically receive a 50% fare discount.

DOTr also said that starting September, the printing process for white beep cards will be expedited, allowing passengers to receive their cards immediately at ticket counters—an improvement from the previous five to seven working days of processing. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) will support the DOTr in fully implementing the 50% fare discount for students riding the MRT and LRT train lines.

The fare cut, which began in June, applies to students in both basic and higher education, from kindergarten to graduate school, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Special Education (SPED) learners. 

The discount is available on every train ride without daily or monthly limits.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the program directly supports access and equity in education.

“Kapag nakakatipid ng pamasahe ang isang pamilya, mas maraming oportunidad para magamit ito para sa mga aklat at educational tool na kailangan nila. Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga estudyante,” Angara said in a statement.

(When a family saves on fares, there are more opportunities to use that money for books and educational tools. This is a big relief for our students.)

“DepEd will do its part to ensure schools and parents know about this benefit. We want every learner, from Metro Manila to the farthest regions, to feel the government’s support,” he added. –VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News