Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon  ordered to stop students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to fill out forms to avail of the 50% fare discount on the Metro Rail Transit Line (MRT) Line 3 and Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2.

Dizon junked the form requirement to eliminate unnecessary delays and inconvenience for commuters.

“Sinilip ko kanina ‘yung estudyanteng nag-fill out ng form, inabot ng kulang-kulang one hanggang one minute 30 seconds para lang sa form. Sayang ‘yung oras ng estudyante at ng ibang pasahero,” Dizon said during an onsite inspection.

Dizon said the DOTr will work with the Commission on Audit (COA) to digitize the process of information gathering for fare discounts.

He added the President is pushing for digitalization. We should modernize how we collect such simple requirements. COA Chairman Cordoba is progressive, so we know he will also push for this.

Dizon said personalized student beep cards granting automatic 50% fare discounts in Metro Manila’s rail lines will be available beginning September.

The white, personalized beep cards will bear the student’s name. These will be valid for one year and may be renewed every school year. Students simply need to visit any MRT-3, LRT-1, or LRT-2 station starting next month, present their school ID, and have their personalized card printed on the spot.

The same white beep cards are already available to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), who also automatically receive a 50% fare discount.