DOTr: ‘Discount Beep cards’ available for students starting September

Dizon said these Beep cards can be used on the LRT-1, LRT-2, and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3). (Photo: Department of Transportation – Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Students will be able to avail of personalized white Beep cards that automatically deduct a 50 percent discounted fare on Metro Manila’s trains beginning in September.

During an inspection at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) Antipolo Station on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said this measure will end the practice of students queuing every time they want to avail themselves of the discounted fare.

Dizon said these Beep cards can be used on the LRT-1, LRT-2, and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

“Kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo na dapat ang biyahe ng ating mga studyante ay mabilis at convenient para hindi sila nale-late sa klase. Starting September, hindi na sila mahihirapan (President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) directed us that the journey of students must be fast and convenient, so they won’t be late to class. Starting September, they won’t find it hard),” Dizon said.

He said the personalized Beep cards will be valid for one year and registered to their users.

“Pupunta lang sila sa kahit anong station next month, ipapakita ang ID at ipi-print ang beep card right then and there. Ire-renew lang nila ‘yan every after school year (They just need to go to any station next month, show their ID, and their Beep card will be printed then and there. They just need to renew it every school year),” he said.

To date, these white Beep cards are already available for seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

He assured that the issuance of these white Beep cards will be accelerated beginning in September, compared to the current five to seven-day processing time.

No more forms for discounted fare

On the other hand, he said filling out forms to avail of a discounted fare at these three rail lines is now unnecessary to help improve the passenger experience and save time.

“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 (I watched a student fill out a form; it took them a minute to a minute and 30 seconds just for the form. It’s such a waste of time for students and other passengers),” he said.

The change, he said, was made by digitalizing information-gathering through a partnership with the Commission on Audit (COA).

“Tinutulak ng Pangulo ang digitalization, dapat makabago na ang pagkuha ng ganitong simpleng requirement. Progressive naman si COA Chairman [Gamaliel] Cordoba kaya alam natin isusulong niya rin ito (The President is pushing for digitalization, gathering requirements like this should be modernized. COA Chair Cordoba is progressive so we know he’ll push for this),” he said.

300K regular Beep cards out next week

Meanwhile, he said an additional 300,000 Beep cards will be available for sale beginning next week to address the shortage of cards used in the cashless payment platform.

He also warned scalpers against hoarding these cards and selling them later for profit.

“Mayroong mga sindikato na namimili sa mga istasyon. We are coordinating with the PNP [Philippine National Police] and SAICT [Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation]. Babantayan namin ‘yung bawat istasyon para mahuli itong mga loko-lokong ito. Papahuli at ipapakulong natin sila (There are syndicates who buy these cards from stations. We are coordinating with the PNP and SAICT. We’ll guard stations to catch them and we’ll get them jailed),” he said.