EXPANDED DISCOUNTS

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) can now avail of a 50-percent fare discount on Metro Manila’s three main train lines – Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) – effective July 16, 2025.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the official launch of the expanded fare discount at the MRT-3 Santolan-Annapolis Station (Southbound) on July 16, coinciding with the observance of the 47th National Disability Week from July 17 to 23. This initiative builds upon the 50-percent fare discount rolled out for students in June, aligning with the President’s directive to ease financial burdens on commuters.

“Our students, persons with disabilities, senior citizens truly need our help because their income is very limited,” President Marcos stated at the launch. “That’s why we thought of this program as something we can do to support our commuters who are PWDs and senior citizens.”

According to the President, this additional discount is expected to benefit approximately 13 million seniors and 7 million PWDs, expanding on the existing mandated 20-percent fare discount.

Dalian trains

A key highlight of the event was also the announcement that the Dalian trains are now commencing commercial operation on the MRT-3 line. These trains, originally purchased in 2014 from Chinese firm CCRC Dalian Co. and delivered in 2016, had remained unused due to compatibility issues. CCRC Dalian Co. has since modified and adjusted the trains at no cost to the Philippine Government, with a technical evaluation and audit conducted by German firm TUV Rheinland. Prior to deployment, safety checks and compliance procedures were carried out by Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation, MRT-3’s current maintenance provider.

Once fully deployed, the 48 Dalian trains, each capable of carrying up to 1,200 passengers, are anticipated to significantly decongest MRT-3, which currently serves an average of 380,000 passengers daily. The new trains are expected to reduce train intervals from 4 minutes to 2.5 minutes, thereby enhancing capacity and improving overall passenger experience. The launch event itself aimed to promote, uphold, and celebrate the rights and dignity of all Filipinos, particularly persons with disabilities, under this year’s theme, ‘Innovation for Inclusion: Building Inclusive Communities Together.’