Students, including those in graduate studies, can now receive a 50 percent fare discount on single journey tickets for Metro Manila’s train lines. The enhanced discount, which began Friday, will be available daily, including weekends and holidays, until 2028.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced the fare reduction, stating it was a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The discount applies to Light Rail Transit Lines 1 (LRT-1) and 2, and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3). Previously, students received a 20 percent discount.

“The directive of the President is to add discounts at Light Rail Transit Lines 1 (LRT-1) and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3,” Dizon said. “The previous 20 percent discount for students, the President ordered to change it to 50 percent.”

For LRT-1, a student traveling from Baclaran to Monumento will now pay P20, down from the full fare of P40. A shorter ride, such as Gil Puyat to Libertad, will cost P10. The maximum student fare across the entire 20-station LRT-1 stretch, from Dr. Santos to Fernando Poe Jr., is now P28.

On LRT-2, which serves the university belt area and has a large student ridership, the lowest student fare is P8, with the maximum fare for the entire line at P18.

To avail of the discount, students must present a valid school ID or a certificate of registration or enrollment when purchasing single journey tickets at station counters. The discount does not apply to stored value or Beep cards.

“This is a big help for families, especially for parents who struggle to send their children to school,” Dizon said. “What they save can be used for other expenses such as projects, extra money in their pocket money, or other school expenses.”

Dizon acknowledged the government would absorb revenue losses from the discount, estimating about P600,000 daily for LRT-2 and roughly P100,000 daily for LRT-1 and MRT-3 combined.

“It’s really going to be shouldered by the government,” he said. “The government will swallow revenue losses, but at the end of the day it’s the taxpayers’ money... but it’s better to go directly into the pockets of our students.”