University News

DOTR brings discounted Beep cards to PUPians

Jasmine Joson, News, College of Arts and Letters

In partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and AF Payments Incorporated, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) launched the three-day Concessionary Card Caravan (CCCar) from October 15 to 17, 2025, at the Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources Center.

The caravan aims to provide discounted Beep cards to students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) within Sintang Paaralan, granting them an automatic 50% fare discount on railways such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT), Metro Rail Transit (MRT), and other partner merchants.

Derived from the Concessionary Card Issuance Project (CCIP), the CCCar streamlines the process of acquiring concessionary cards—making it more accessible and time-efficient for regular university commuters. Previously, applicants had to manually fill out forms at select railway stations, with processing still dependent on slot availability.

The caravan introduced a simplified system beginning with an online registration, where applicants provided their basic information and preferred schedule. Upon receiving confirmation, qualified applicants proceeded to the University Library on their chosen date to complete the following steps: present a valid ID, encode their details through the Concessionary Card Processor (CCP), have their photo taken, sign the acknowledgment form, and pay a one-time processing fee of ?30.

Through this initiative, PUP and its partners have significantly improved the commuting experience of students, senior citizens, and PWDs. The CCCar 2025 not only reduced processing time but also brought essential transport services closer to the University community, exemplifying the spirit of accessibility, convenience, and public service.

A frequent passenger of LRT Line 2 and a student at the PUP Open University System (PUP OUS), Karla Cacapit described the Concessionary Card Caravan as a convenient alternative to her usual commuting experience at the station.

“Availing the beep card is really convenient because I don’t have to line up every day for at least five minutes. Just yesterday, I was stopped by the ticket seller who asked about the validity of my ID—and this happened during rush hour, around 8 a.m. at Shaw Boulevard—so it caused quite a delay for me,” Cacapit shared.

Cacapit’s daily experience mirrors that of many within Sintang Paaralan. Through the implementation of CCCar 2025, students, faculty, and staff now enjoy a more efficient commuting experience that helps improve their productivity and well-being.

This initiative also reinforces the University’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), as PUP continues to recognize the transportation challenges faced by its constituents. By promoting accessible and affordable mobility, the University contributes to alleviating the daily financial burden of commuting while advancing inclusive, sustainable, and community-centered solutions for all.