Free bus, LRT-2 rides for students

MANILA, Philippines — As students will return to school for face-to-face classes today, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is offering free bus rides in Quezon City and Manila.

According to PCG chief Admiral Artemio Abu, three buses would be deployed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Abu said the buses would pick up students from Quezon City and transport them to the university belt in Manila.

“We are offering the free rides to assist students during the school opening. With this initiative, we hope that we can help them in transportation fares,” he said.

Abu asked students riding in the PCG buses to follow COVID protocols to prevent transmission of the virus.

“Please wear face masks properly and bring alcohol to protect yourselves from the virus,” he said.

The Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) is offering free rides for preschool to college students starting today until Nov. 5.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), which operates the rail line, is expecting up to 40,000 students to ride the LRT-2 today during the resumption of face-to-face classes.

LRTA administrator Hernando Cabrera said the railway is ready to accommodate the number of students who will take the train going to school.

At least 80 elementary and high schools, colleges as well as universities are located along the LRT-2 rail line.

“We are ready for the school opening,” Cabrera said.

A separate ticketing booth will be reserved for students to obtain their free single journey ticket upon presenting their identification cards or enrollment registration forms.

Students will also have a gate reserved for them in entering the train station.

Cabrera clarified that graduate students are not covered by the free rides.

He said the LRT-2 can accommodate half a million riders daily, but the pandemic caused the ridership to drop.

The number of LRT-2 passengers has increased as pandemic restrictions eased, Cabrera said. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab