The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) has given more than 18 million free rides during the first two months of its “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) program since the end of March.

A total of 18,069,523 ridership was recorded from March 28 to May 31, the MRT-3 said Wednesday.

During the first month of the program, it recorded a ridership of 8,472,637, compared to 9,596,886 in its second month.

“These numbers are expected to grow as the program was extended anew for the third straight month, until 30 June 2022,” its Facebook post read.

During weekdays, the rail line averaged a daily ridership of 309,013 during the program’s first month, which later increased to an average of 343,580 in its second month.

From March 28 to May 30, its weekday ridership had consistently been higher than 350,000, with the highest single-day ridership reaching 366,994 on May 27.

“This was the highest ridership registered since the MRT-3 went back to operations in June 2020. Throughout the implementation of the ‘libreng sakay’, the MRT-3 recorded zero unloading incidents,” the MRT-3 said.

The program aims to help passengers with their daily expenses amid rising fuel prices and other goods and to showcase the improved services and facilities of the newly rehabilitated MRT-3.

“The program also gives way for the management to further test the performance of the rail line, specifically in accommodating up to or more than 350,000 passengers daily,” it said.

The MRT-3 completed its massive rehabilitation in December last year, which included the upgrade of its tracks, signaling and communications, power and overhead catenary system, rolling stock, and depot and station equipment. (PNA)