A total of 1,608,719 free rides were given to vaccinated health workers and other authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) since the program began in August.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the MRT-3 said the total was reached on Thursday, the last day of the “Libreng Sakay (free ride)” program that began on August 3, 2021.

“Ang programang libreng sakay ay sang-ayon sa direktiba ni Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade upang hikayatin ang mga pasahero na magpabakuna at matulungan ang mga ito sa pagbiyahe sa panahon ng pandemya (The free ride program was the directive of DOTr Secretary Tugade to encourage passengers to get vaccinated and to help them during the pandemic),” the MRT-3 said.

While the free ride program at the MRT-3, the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) has ended, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has resumed its free ride program in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday.

As of Wednesday, there are 10 modern jeepney routes that offer free rides to all passengers in NCR.

The LTFRB’s free ride program is funded under the Service Contracting Program (SCP) that also provides incentives to drivers and operators based on the number of trips they make weekly and other performance indicators. (PNA)