DOTr: Marcos extends free EDSA Carousel bus rides, OKs free train rides for students

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved Friday a memorandum seeking to provide free train rides for students and extend the free EDSA Carousel bus rides, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported.

The DOTr said the free EDSA Carousel bus rides will now be effective until December this year.

The transportation department said that the move seeks to ease the burden of rising living expenses for Filipinos.

“Considering the availability of budget for Service Contracting under GA 2022, the undersigned recommends the continuation of the Libreng Sakay Program for all passengers of the EDSA Bus Carousel,” a portion of the DOTr memo read.

Meanwhile, the free train rides, the DOTr said, will benefit students using the MRT-3, LRT-2, and PNR when in-person classes resume in August.

Based on the memorandum, the free train ride for students will run from August 22 to November 4 to help students “whose learning outcomes have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.”

Vice President Sara Duterte, who also serves as education secretary, earlier unveiled plans to implement full face-to-face classes in schools by August.