A lady lawmaker yesterday cited the Department of Transportation for providing free rides for students at the Light Rail Transit 2, Metro Rail Transit 3, and Philippine National Railways.
Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliette Uy said the DoTr’s fare exemption for students is “a brilliant move to decongest the trains and light rails during rush hours.”
“Decongestion of the trains can also lead to lighter train loads and fewer line disruptions,” said Uy.
The DOTr’s free train rides can be availed of by students from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, in the morning and in the afternoon, for an hour to an hour-and-a-half, depending on the train line the student is using.
Uy, a member of the House Transportation Committee during the 17th Congress, observed that the time slots set by the DoTr were just before the morning and afternoon peak rush hours.
She noted that the terminal fee exemption for students could also encourage more students to travel as domestic tourists.
“Many backpacker tourists are students. I hope the airlines and shipping companies will see the DoTr move as a signal for them to develop the backpacker tourist segment dominated by students,” said Uy, who also served as member of the House Committee on Tourism and was reelected to a third term in the May 13 midterm polls. (Ellson A. Quismorio)
