Attention students, senior citizens, and PWDs: Here's how to get a white Beep card
The white Beep card with an automatic 50% discount for students, senior citizens, and PWDs riding the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 is now available.
The Department of Transportation postponed the launch of the student Beep cards to Sept. 20 to "recalibrate" their systems and ensure there are no problems with applications for the special reloadable fare card.
Since Saturday, eligible individuals can now get cards on the spot at all 51 stations of the train lines. Here's what to know about the process:
- Bring the appropriate ID requirements. Students must bring their student ID or enrollment certificate, while senior citizens must present their senior citizen ID. Persons with disabilities likewise must carry their PWD ID.
- Pay the P30 one-time payment for the card.
- Apply for the white Beep card at designated booths at the stations.
The printed card will indicate your name and ID type.
According to the DOTr, the on-the-spot printing booths will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Users lament the system
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez previously said that printing the card would take three to five minutes; however, several online users shared that the queues took hours.
Some users also noted that some stations accommodated only the first 100 applicants.
"[Three to five] minutes nga ang printing pero each person takes more than 30 minutes sa booth, sobrang tagal ng proseso... Kawawa pa ang mga estudyanteng nakapila, wala man lang upuan para i-accommodate ang dami ng nakapila," one user said in DOTr's Facebook comments.
"Nakapila na po my daughter ng 12:30 p.m. bigla po inannounce ng 1:00 pm. daw po cut-off. Sa haba po ng pila, pinauwi na po mga hindi inabot sa cut-off," another added.
One Facebook commenter suggested that the DOTr build a website for the service and deliver the Beep cards to the applicants. They also recommended partnering with schools and universities.
The 50% discount for students kicked off last June, while those for seniors and PWDs began in July. The original discount was 20%.
With the new discount in place, the minimum fare for LRT-1 is P10, and the maximum is P28 for an end-to-end line from Dr. Abad Santos Station to Fernando Poe Jr. Station.
On LRT-2, the minimum discounted fare is P8 and the maximum is P18 for a trip from Recto Station to Antipolo Station.
On MRT-3, the minimum discounted fare is P6 and the maximum is P14 for a trip from Taft Station to North Avenue Station.
