MANILA (UPDATE)—The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday said it is offering free LRT-2, MRT-3 and PNR rides for students during rush hours on weekdays starting Monday, July 1.

In a statement, the DOTr said free rides apply on the following train schedules starting July 1:

• Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT 2): 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
• Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3): 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Philippine National Railways (PNR): 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

"Bakit nga ba binibigyan natin ng oras ang libreng pamasahe? Dahil hinihikayat nating pumasok ng maaga sa paaralan ang mga estudyante kapalit niyan ay libreng pamasahe," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a tweet.

Sec. Tugade: Yug mga terminal fee sa daungan, hindi 'ho discounted. Ito ay LIBRE.#DOTrPH🇵🇭

— DOTrPH 🇵🇭 (@DOTrPH) June 27, 2019

Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Timothy John Bathan reiterated that holidays are not covered by the promo.

Students will only have to present their IDs bearing their pictures, he added.

"Eventually may dinedevelop tayong sistema kasama ang LRT, MRT, PNR kung saan makakapag-apply o makatanggap ng isang free pass o student pass ang lahat ng mga qualified na estudyante natin," Bathan said.

Students won't also be charged terminal fees when flying in any airport under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the DOTr told reporters.

Bathan said the terminal fees for students will be terminated starting on Aug. 1.

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Terminal fees at ports run by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) are also waived for students.

Elementary, high-school, college and students taking vocational courses can avail of the free rides and terminal fees, excluding graduate students, the DOTr said.

The PNR has a capacity of 25,000, while CAAP has 40 airports under it, the DOTr said.

"Ang revenue na mawawala ay isa sa titingnan natin sa unang 3 buwan ng implementasyon ng programa," Bathan said.

"Ang mahalaga kasi dito ay... ito ay isang investment sa edukasyon nung ating mga estudyante upang mapagaan ng konti 'yung bigat nung pag-aaral." — With reports from Jacque Manabat, ABS-CBN News