FOR THOUSANDS OF Filipino students who ride the train daily, the beep of a turnstile is more than just the start of a commute— it’s also the sound of much-needed relief for families juggling tight budgets.
Since June 2025, students have been enjoying a 50-percent fare discount on Metro Manila’s MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 systems, thanks to a joint initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The program, which runs until 2028, was rolled out under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make commuting more affordable for learners.
‘When a family saves on transportation costs, there are more opportunities to buy books, learning tools, or even basic needs. It’s a real help for students and their parents…’
A BIG RELIEF
The cut may seem small, but for families already stretching every peso, the savings are significant. A senior high schooler who spends ₱60 a day on train fares now spends only ₱30—a difference that could mean an extra meal, a notebook, or part of a week’s internet load. Multiply that by months of school, and the relief becomes clear.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara stressed that the initiative is about redirecting small but steady savings to more important needs.
“When a family saves on transportation costs, there are more opportunities to buy books, learning tools, or even basic needs. It’s a real help for students and their parents,” Angara said.
The discount applies to all students from kindergarten to graduate school, including those enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Special Education (SPED) programs. There are no caps on how often the discount can be used—every ride is half off.
EASING THE JOURNEY
To make the benefit easier to access, the DOTr will roll out special white Beep cards by September. Students only need to show a valid school ID or enrollment form to get one. Once tapped at the station, the discount is automatically applied—no need to fall in line for single-journey tickets.
Transport Secretary Rex Dizon emphasized that affordability must go hand in hand with convenience.
“It’s not just the discount that matters. The President made it clear that students should not be burdened when they travel. If you’re a student, you should be able to get your Beep card right at the station and ride with ease,” he said.
The DOTr is also piloting “Libreng Sakay” programs in Cebu and Davao, using modern jeepneys and buses on select routes, with plans to expand the initiative to more cities.
LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES
For parents, the program offers a rare assurance in a time when rising prices of food, utilities, and school supplies continue to squeeze household budgets. For students, it’s a reminder that their government sees their daily struggles—not just in the classroom but on the road to get there.
Commuting in Metro Manila can be exhausting and expensive. But with every discounted tap of a Beep card, families know they are saving a little more—day after day, year after year—until 2028.
As Angara put it, this is a step toward making education “less of a burden for Filipino families” and ensuring more young people can finish their studies.
It may only be half the fare, but for many Filipino households, it feels like double the hope.