President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. shared that his MRT-3 ride on June 1 wasn’t a one-off event—he and his family frequently use the train to avoid Metro Manila’s heavy traffic.
In his BBM Podcast released Friday, Marcos explained, “This wasn’t my first time on the MRT. We often take it—me, my family, and even friends—because it’s faster than getting stuck in traffic. It can take up to two hours just to reach Cubao by car.”
The President also described how he engages with fellow commuters during these trips. He recalled one crowded experience where passengers could barely move inside the train. “Once you get inside, if your hand is on the rail, you can’t even shift positions,” he said, quoting passengers who confirmed that such crowding is a daily reality.
His recent ride coincides with the rollout of the Family/Pamilya Pass 1+3 program, which allows groups of four to ride the MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 on Sundays for the price of just one fare. This initiative began on June 1 to mark Family Day and celebrate Filipino families.
In addition, the Department of Transportation announced that student discounts on all three rail lines—LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3—have been increased from 20% to 50% starting June 20.