SEVERAL college students riding the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2) and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) welcomed the move to roll out personalized Beep cards that automatically apply their 50 percent discount on train fares.

On Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that the discounted Beep cards for student commuters will be available starting in September, allowing them to skip long queues and fill out a student discount transaction coupon.

“Hindi na ako tatakbo sa LRT-1 para lang makapila ng maaga para ma-avail ‘yung discount and makipag-unahan para kumuha ng papel na susulatan na minsan nagkaka-ubusan pa,” said Rachelene Donoso, a 20-year-old Broadcasting student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), shared with republicasia.

The 50 percent train fare discount is currently valid for Single Journey Tickets only, which the students have to line up for and purchase at the counter.

They are also required to present their valid student ID or certificate of registration or enrollment for the current school year, and fill out the coupon that contains details about their student ID number, destination, name, and signature.

“Maganda siya kasi ‘di na pipila ng matagal lalo na kapag rush hour. Kapag umaga, dagsa ang mga tao dahil papasok [sa school at work], and same rin kapag uwian,” student Rafaelo Merelos, 20, told republicasia.

Julianne Icban, 19, said the students have been hoping to have special Beep cards since the 50 percent fare discount was implemented in June.

“As a student intern, of course, masaya and mas gumaan din ‘yung pakiramdam ko na meron na kaming sariling beep card,” the Broadcasting student said.

“Less hassle and easier sa aming mga estudyante, lalo na sa mga malalayo ang lugar, like no need na pumila at maglista ng matagal para lang maka-access sa 50% discount ng LRT,” she continued.

Althea Omboy, a 20-year-old student from PUP, agreed to this but hoped that the three train lines in Metro Manila would not have a supply shortage of the personalized Beep cards once they roll out.

“Sa dami ng students na pumapasok at nag-a-avail ng discount araw-araw, sana lang may enough stocks sila sa lahat ng stations para sa mga gustong bumili, and talagang mabilis lang ‘yung process,” Omboy told republicasia.

“Maging maayos din sana ang implementation at totoong mas mapadali nga ‘yung pag-avail ng beep pati na rin ang byahe para less hassle sa araw-araw na commute,” she added.

How to avail

The student Beep cards are similar to the concessionary Beep cards for persons with disability (PWDs) and senior citizens.

This white Beep card displays the student’s name and is valid for a year. It can be renewed every year.

According to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, the students must present their school ID to avail of the special Beep card, which can be purchased at any train station. Another good news is that they won’t have to wait five to seven business days to receive their Beep cards.

“Right then and there, ipi-print ang iyong student Beep card in every station sa MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2,” Dizon told reporters during his inspection at LRT-2 Antipolo Station.

The transport chief also said they are coordinating with the Commission on Audit (COA) to digitalize information-gathering.

With the implementation of the 50 percent discount, the minimum student fare in LRT-1 is now P10, while the highest fare is P28.

In LRT-2, the minimum student fare is P8, while the end-to-end fare is P18. 

In MRT-3, the minimum student fare is P6, while the maximum fare is P14.