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Commuters get free Edsa carousel bus rides until December
FILE: Passengers board the Edsa-Carousel bus at the Mega-Q Mart Station along Edsa in Quezon City on Wednesday (Sept. 15, 2021). Drivers and operators of public utility vehicles will again enjoy the benefits and incentives under the Service Contracting Program after it was budgeted under the General Appropriations Act of 2021. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday approved the extension of the free Edsa Carousel bus rides until December and free rides for students who will be using the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2), and Philippine National Railways (PNR) when in-person classes resume in August.
The memo came after President Marcos’ recent meeting with officials, headed by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, at Malacañang.
“Considering the availability of budget for Service Contracting under the General Appropriations of 2022, the undersigned recommends the continuation of the Libreng Sakay (Free Ride) program for all passengers of the Edsa Bus Carousel,” a portion of the DOTr memo read.
The move will ease the burden on rising living expenses and help Filipinos save money, especially with the impending return of face-to-face classes after more than two years.
The DOTr said current MRT-3 fares are already heavily subsidized, which was vital in its decision to recommend discontinuing the free rides for all passengers.
“Considering the welfare of students, however, whose learning outcomes have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, the undersigned recommends implementing a Libreng Sakay for Students Program for the first quarter of School Year 2022-2023 or from 22 August 2022 to 04 November 2022,” another portion of the DOTr memo read, covering MRT-3, LRT-2, and PNR.
The Department of Education, now under Vice President Sara Duterte, estimates that more than 38,000 schools are set for the resumption of face-to-face classes. (PR)
Hannah Pilar
July 4, 2022 at 9:59 AM
It is a great initiative from the new administration since the cost of living in the metro is really expensive. In this way, commuters can be relieved and help them alleviate the demanding way of life nowadays. They can set aside the budget for their daily transportation and help them save for other expenses.
Christopher Burac
July 4, 2022 at 12:37 PM
I’m glad to hear this that they’ll be getting a free ride( those who use Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2), and Philippine National Railways (PNR) but on the other side it’s sad too because not the entire Philippines will get free ride when their is a price hike of oil products in the entire Philippines. Lucky for them but not for others..I hope we could get free ride too,just kidding😅