PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the extension of free Edsa Carousel bus rides as well as free train rides for students.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the free rides for students who will be using the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and Philippine National Railway (PNR) will be provided when in-person classes resume in August. It will last until November 4.

The Department of Education (DepEd), now under Vice-President Sara Duterte, estimates that more than 38,000 schools in the country are already set for the resumption of face-to-face classes for the school year 2022-2023.

The free Edsa Carousel bus ride for the public will last until December 2022.

“The move will ease the burden of rising living expenses on Filipino families and help them save money, especially with the return of face-to-face classes after more than two years,” the DoTr said.

The MRT-3 free ride for the public was implemented under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte following the completion of its rehabilitation in March.

The DOTr said the current MRT-3 fares are already “heavily subsidized,” which is vital in its decision to recommend discontinuing the free rides for all MRT-3 passengers. (SunStar Philippines)