MRT gives free rides to disabled commuters

The Metro Rail Transit Authority (MRTA),which manages the MRT-3 rail system, started giving yesterday free ride to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in line with the 28th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

For its part, the Light Rail Transit Authority, has given the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) free ad space to promote the organization and events.

"There will be free rides for disabled persons for one-week, up to Sunday," Transportation Assistant Secretary and MRTA General Manager Roberto Lastimoso said.

The MRTA said PWDs can avail of the free rides from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For this week, PWD can present his or her fare discount fare ID card upon entry and exit at MRT-3 stations.

The ID is issued by the NCWDP, but any institutional ID from a PWD-affiliated agency is also valid, Lastimoso said.

MRT-3 personnel noted, however, that even those without an ID may be accommodated if they are observed to have physical disabilities. – Sandy Araneta