Public service announcement for students who regularly commute in Metro Manila: In case you missed the news, students can now enjoy a 50% discount on all three major rail lines: the MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2.
The MRT-3 and LRT-2 officially opened dedicated student lanes in each station on July 4, specifically to “allow seamless movement of students availing of 50% fare discounts” and eliminate long lines for the availment of discounts.
Meanwhile, the LRT-1 line, which is managed by the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), will implement queuing systems to manage passenger flow and minimize delays for students availing discounts.
The initiative was made in line with the advisory by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on June 20 to increase student discounts from 20 to 50% for the three major rail lines.
If you ride the train daily to get to school, here’s everything you need to know about the updated MRT and LRT student discounts, how to claim them, and what the new train fare matrix for single journey tickets looks like under the 50% discount program.
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What’s new: 50% student discounts now in effect
As of June 20, 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has increased the student fare discount from 20% to 50% across the three major train lines.
The fare reduction aligns with the government’s directive to ease the financial burden on students and their parents, especially with the recent opening of the school year.
The 50% student fare discount will remain effective until 2028.
Which train lines are covered by the student discount?
The 50% discount for single-journey tickets for students covers the three major transit lines in Metro Manila: the MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2.
The MRT-3 (Metro Rail Transit), which runs along EDSA from North Avenue Station in Quezon City to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City, is the fastest way through the EDSA traffic corridor.
The LRT-1 (Light Rail Transit Line 1), which runs from Fernando Poe Jr. Station (formerly Roosevelt) in Quezon City to Dr. Abad Santos Station in Parañaque, connects to the LRT-2 and MRT-3 via pedestrian transfers.
The LRT-2 (Light Rail Transit Line 2), which spans Recto Station in Manila to Antipolo Station in Rizal, is the best for east-west travel and accessing the University Belt in Manila.
Who is eligible for the student discounts?
The 50% off discount for students is available to all students from elementary, high school, and college. The promo also applies to students taking up postgraduate studies, including master’s and law school programs, according to the DOTr.
Students must present a valid school ID for the current academic year or a certificate of enrollment to avail of the discount.
How to avail of the discounted fares?
Here’s how to get the discounted student fare:
- Line up at the designated student lane in the station’s ticket booth
- Present a valid student ID or proof of enrollment
- List your name and signature in the form provided
- Purchase a single journey ticket (SJT)
Take note that the promo is currently valid for SJTs only. It is not yet applicable for Beep cards or stored value tickets.
According to DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, while the discount applies to single-journey tickets for now, integrating the students’ discounts into other ticket types like Beep cards could be rolled out in the coming months.
“Technically hindi pa kaya nung Beep card na i-program sa ngayon pero pinipilit natin siguro in the next few months e magagawan ng paraan,” he told the media as per an Inquirer report.
When can students use the discount?
The 50% student discount is valid daily on the three train lines on weekdays (Monday to Firday), weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), and even holidays.
Single Journey 50% discount fare matrix for students
In the new fare matrix, the minimum fare for student commuters on MRT-3 is P6. A maximum of P14 fare is applicable for an end-to-end line from Taft to North Avenue.
For the LRT-1, the minimum discounted fare for students is P10. It’ll cost P28 for an end-to-end ride from Dr. Abad Santos in Sucat to Fernando Poe Jr. station in Quezon City.
For the LRT-2, the minimum student fare is P8 while the highest fare is P18 for those traveling end-to-end from Recto Station to Antipolo Station.
