We all know that pre-Christmas carmageddon in Metro Manila can be pretty chaotic. With holiday traffic causing car owners to be stuck on the road for hours, using public transport sometimes seems to be the most efficient option these days.
As part of efforts to decongest EDSA during the holiday season, the MMDA is encouraging the public to use buses, jeepneys, and other public transportation options instead of private cars. Here are just some of the ongoing promos and perks for commuters who want to beat holiday traffic and save on transportation costs in Metro Manila.
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12 Days of Christmas’ Libreng Sakay on MRT/LRT
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has launched a holiday “12 Days of Christmas” free ride program on the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 from December 14 until December 25, 2025, Christmas Day.
The DOTr aims to spread holiday cheer by offering free train rides for various commuter sectors, including seniors, students, OFWs and their families, teachers/health workers, PWDs, and families, with each sector being given free train rides on a designated day. On December 25, all riders can use the trains for free.
- December 14 – Senior Citizens
- December 15 – Students
- December 16 – Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families
- December 17 – Teachers, health workers
- December 18 – Persons with disabilities (PWDs) and male passengers
- December 19 – Government employees
- December 20 – Female passengers
- December 21 – Family (all members)
- December 22 – Solo parents and members of the LGBTQIA+
- December 23 – Private sector employees, house helpers
- December 24 – Uniformed personnel, veterans, and their families
- December 25 – For all train commuters
Temporary cut in ride-hailing surge pricing
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered a temporary reduction in surge pricing for ride-hailing services (TNVS) during the holiday season. This move aims to address commuter complaints regarding excessive fares and to keep fares more affordable amid peak travel demand across Metro Manila. The limit on surge pricing will be in effect from December 17, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
According to LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2025-056, setting rules on surge charges during the Christmas and New Year season, surge pricing must be computed using the per-kilometer rate plus the per-minute rate charge, with the flagdown rate included in the computation.
Under the new memorandum, Transport Network Companies’ surge price cannot exceed the sum of the Travel Distance Charge and the Travel Time Charge. The memo gave a sample computation for the fare as follows:
- Flagdown: P45.00
- Distance Charge (5km): P75.00
- Time Charge (10min): P20.00
- Max Surge Allowed: P95.00 (P75 + P20)
- Total Fare: P235.00
In a separate Memorandum Circular 2025-055, LTFRB is penalizing booking cancellations among TNVS drivers for the Refusal to Convey Passengers. TNVS drivers who cancel rides amid the Christmas rush, mostly to avoid short-distance or non-profitable trips, also stand to be fined from P5,000 up to P15,000.
Discounted student, senior, and PWD beep cards
To ease travel costs ahead of the holiday season, the DOTr started rolling out discount stored value beep cards with personalized fare discounts (50% off) for students, senior citizens, and PWDs on the rail lines. In case you belong to these sectors and haven’t gotten these special discount cards yet, check out Top Gear’s previous guides on how to apply for Senior and PWD cards and student beep cards with the 50% fare discount.
The Senior and PWD Cards are valid for life (no renewal needed), while the student beep cards are valid for one school year and must be renewed annually by showing proof of enrollment. The 50% fare discount for beneficiaries is currently set to last until 2028.
Pamilya Pass 1+ 3 Promo
Another year-round train promo that could be useful for commuters for attending Christmas parties and enjoying family outings during the holiday season is the “Pamilya Pass 1+3 Promo." In case you didn't know, families can buy one ticket and get three free passes on the three train lines every Sunday.
To avail of the promo, one family member purchases a regular ticket (either a Single Journey Ticket or Beep card fare) from a ticket booth. The PAMILYA Pass gives coupons for up to three companions traveling to the same destination, enabling families to travel together at a significantly reduced cost. The PAMILYA Pass 1+3 Promo will continue every Sunday until June 2028.
Holiday traffic management and proposed solutions
According to the MMDA, “decongesting Metro Manila” is seen as the permanent solution to heavy traffic that’s only expected to worsen this holiday season. In a press conference, MMDA Chair Romando Artes said that developing nearby provinces or relocating offices of certain industries in Metro Manila to other areas could help reduce the volume of vehicles on the roads. MMDA also said that road infrastructure and public transportation in Metro Manila need to be improved in order to encourage more people to commute, which could help reduce vehicular volume.
In the meantime, some short-term interventions to address traffic along Marcos Highway following the recent carmageddon include the installation of additional traffic signage, deployment of additional personnel, and relocation and reconfiguration of certain U-turn slots as reported in Inquirer.
MMDA has also intensified road-clearing operations, particularly along the designated Mabuhay Lanes. Other proposals include extending MRT and LRT operating hours and discouraging mall-wide sales during peak holiday weeks.
As reported in GMA News, MMDA Swift Traffic Action Group commander Edison Nebrija encouraged office workers to use carpooling and shuttle services for Christmas parties and events to reduce traffic.
The MMDA is also studying the possibility of opening up roads of gated villages to traffic ahead of expected massive traffic jams during Christmas.
