SENIOR citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and students will no longer need to fill out forms to avail themselves of the 50-percent fare discount on the MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Wednesday.
Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said the move, which takes effect immediately, would save passengers time and spare them from unnecessary inconvenience.
“Sinilip ko kanina ‘yung estudyanteng nag-fill out ng form, inabot ng kulang-kulang 1 hanggang 1 minute 30 seconds para lang sa form. Sayang ‘yung oras ng estudyante at ng ibang pasahero,” Dizon said.
The transport chief added that the DOTr will work with the Commission on Audit (COA) to digitalize information gathering.
“Tinutulak ng Pangulo ang digitalization (kaya) apat makabago na ang pagkuha ng ganitong simpleng requirement. Progressive naman si COA Chairman [Gamaliel] Cordoba kaya alam natin isusulong niya rin ito,” he said.
Students will only need to present their school IDs for the current academic year, while senior citizens and PWDs must present their respective IDs.
By September, the DOTr will roll out special Beep cards for seniors, PWDs, and students, pre-programmed to automatically apply the 50-percent fare discount.
The DOTr began offering the 50-percent discount to students only last June, up from the previous 20 percent.
