MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said its major rail lines served a total of 2,841,788 passengers during the “12 Days of Christmas – Libreng Sakay” program from December 14 to 25, 2025.

The free ride program covered LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 and was implemented following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ease the burden on commuters during the yuletide season by providing free rail transport for 12 consecutive days.

MRT-3 recorded the highest ridership with 1,183,950 passengers, followed by LRT-1 with 1,091,951 commuters and LRT-2 with 565,887 riders during the program period.

The DOTr said December 25, Christmas Day, logged the highest daily ridership at 835,777 passengers across the three rail lines, with all commuters receiving free rides.

The second-highest turnout was recorded on December 18, which was allocated for Persons with Disabilities and male passengers, with a combined total of 550,138 riders.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the success of the program underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive, convenient, safe, and accessible public transportation.

“This overwhelming response demonstrates the importance of accessible public transportation in the lives of Filipino families, especially during the Christmas season. We are honored to serve almost 3 million commuters through this program, providing them with safe, reliable, and free transportation as they celebrate the holidays with their loved ones,” Lopez said.

The DOTr said the program designated specific days for different beneficiary groups, including senior citizens, students, overseas Filipino workers and their families, teachers and health workers, persons with disabilities and male passengers, government employees, female passengers, families, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and solo parents, private sector employees and kasambahays, uniformed personnel, veterans and their families, and a final “free-for-all” day.