Train personnel found a heartwarming message from a commuter who benefited from the government’s free ride program.
The Department of Transportation‘s “Libreng Sakay” for Metro Rail Transit-3 trains ended on Thursday, June 30.
Commuters have availed of free train rides for at least three months since it was first offered on March 28.
On the last day, DOTr-MRT-3 posted photos of a note that their personnel found attached to a wall of a train.
MRT said that its personnel found this note on June 29.
“MRT-3 personnel found this heart-warming, personalized note yesterday, 29 June 2022, inside an MRT-3 train by a passenger, thanking the rail line for its LIBRENG SAKAY program that began three months ago,” the post reads.
On the front side of the note, the passenger made a colorful word art against a black backdrop that reads:
“Salamat po, MRT and to our government! More power! God bless you!
On the backside, the commuter shared how the free rides, both for the MRT and the other public utility vehicles, were a huge help to the public.
“A happier commuter of MRT for eleven Wednesdays from April, May, and June going to Redemptorist Church in Baclaran. Thank you very much for the men and women behind this Libreng Sakay in MRT and all other transport vehicles that (are) included, especially around Quezon City and in ours in Novaliches,” the message reads.
“God bless you all guys. Sana maulit muli,” it added.
On the post itself, DOTr-MRT thanked its passengers for their positive feedback to the free rides.
“The MRT-3 Management wishes to thank all its passengers for their messages of gratitude for the program and good wishes for the MRT-3. Rest assured that we will try even harder to provide only the best, most efficient, and most comfortable service for the riding public,” MRT said.
In a separate post, DOTr said that a total of 28,624,982 million commuters benefited from the Libreng Sakay program from March 28 to June 30.
This program was launched to help cushion the impact of rising costs of fuel and goods from the commuters.
Still many passengers after
Passengers still get congested in some MRT stations even when the rides are no longer free.
The group Commuters of Metro Manila shared photos from commuters that showed long lines and thick crowds in some MRT stations on the morning of July 1.
The photos were attributed to the following Twitter accounts: @jlauverr, @shrjein, @GabbsPitargue, @si_ich_ivi.
“Long lines again this morning in some MRT-3 stations as DOTr’s libreng sakay program ended yesterday, June 30,” the post reads.
This situation is similar to when MRT fare rates are waived.
Several commuters have previously shared footage of some rail stations being congested with long, thick queues of people during the free ride program.
Others also shared videos of long lines near stations of DOTr’s EDSA Carousel bus stations.
READ: Metro Manila commuter woes in photos, videos: Long queues, crowded terminals for buses, trains
Aside from the MRT, some jeepneys and buses have also ended their free services to the public.
Here are the NCR Libreng Sakay routes that will end by June 30:
(Document from LTFRB) pic.twitter.com/6NchEnEED3
— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) June 21, 2022
Based on a report, EDSA Carousel continues to provide free services to passengers.
