Senator Urges DOTr to Set Up Student Discount Booths at LRT, MRT Stations
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to establish dedicated ticket booths exclusively for students at Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations. This measure aims to ease the long wait times and improve the slow validation process students face when availing of fare discounts.
Tulfo emphasized that the student discount’s purpose is to make transportation more accessible for learners, not to add more hurdles for them or other passengers. “The goal of the student fare discount is to make transportation more accessible to learners, not to create new obstacles for them or for other commuters,” he said, according to local sources.
Streamlining Student Fare Discount Validation
The senator also urged the DOTr to develop a more efficient student verification system. He recommended removing manual form-filling requirements and exploring digital methods to speed up the validation process. Tulfo proposed integrating the student discount directly into beep cards, a move that could simplify fare payments for students nationwide.
Furthermore, Tulfo stressed the need for beep card providers to increase production and distribution. Ensuring that these cards are readily available in convenience stores and commercial outlets would benefit all commuters, especially students.
On-Site Inspections and Student Feedback
As chair of the Senate committee on public services, Tulfo instructed his team to conduct on-site inspections at LRT and MRT stations. They interviewed students to gather firsthand accounts of the challenges faced during fare discount validation.
While the DOTr has increased the student fare discount from 20% to 50% for rides on LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3, many students hesitate to avail themselves of the discount due to the time-consuming process. Students shared that if their student ID lacks the current school year, they must present a printed enrollment record at the ticket counter.
Additionally, students must fill out forms with personal details such as name, school, ID number, signature, and destination station. This requirement leads to long queues and frustration, particularly during rush hours.
Calls for Beep Card Discount Inclusion
Students have appealed for the fare discount to apply to stored value tickets or beep cards. This change would save them from daily lining up. However, Tulfo noted that beep cards often run out of stock by afternoon due to limited supply and high demand.
“Maraming estudyante ang nahihirapan kasi laging nauubos ang beep cards sa mga stations sa hapon,” local leaders noted.
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