The Quezon City government’s free bus ride program that was implemented in December 2020 has benefitted over 5.3 million passengers, Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
“This program was launched to address the need for a reliable, efficient and safe means of transportation during the pandemic especially during the times when public transportation is unavailable or limited. The program enables our QCitizens to save a lot on transportation expenses,” said Belmonte.
Amid the continuous oil price surge, Belmonte encouraged the residents to avail of the free bus ride.
“Sobrang mahal na ng gasolina at kasunod na rin niyan ang pagmahal ng mga bilihin. Kailangan nating magtipid kaya malaking bagay na ‘yung malilibre mo sa pamasahe, maipambili mo na ng bigas (Fuel is already very expensive and next will be high cost of goods. We need to save, it's a big deal that you can get rid of the fare so you can buy rice),” she said.
The Quezon City Bus Augmentation Program or Q City Bus traverses eight routes every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Route 1 - Quezon City Hall To Cubao; Route 2 - Quezon City Hall To LITEX; Route 3 - Welcome Rotonda To Aurora Blvd./Katipunan; Route 4-Quezon City Hall To Gen. Luis; Route 5 - Quezon City Hall To Mindanao Ave. Via Visayas Ave.; Route 6 - Quezon City Hall To Gilmore; Route 7 - Quezon City Hall To Ortigas Avenue Extension; and Route 8 - Quezon City Hall To Muñoz.
Earlier, Belmonte signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to help provide additional transportation to commuters.
“Umaasa tayo na makatutulong ang programang ito upang maibsan ang kakulangan sa pampublikong transportasyon at upang mas mabilis at ligtas na makarating ang mga commuter sa kanilang pupuntahan (We hope this program will help alleviate the shortage of public transportation and enable commuters to get to their destinations faster and safer),” she said.
“Iwas-hawa na, may free wifi pa. Kaya naman mula nang ilunsad natin ang Q City bus, marami talagang sumasakay at nakita nila mismo na malaking tulong ito sa kanilang pagpasok sa trabaho o kahit sa personal man na lakad (Aside from being protected from infection, riders have access to free WiFi. That is why since we launched the Q City bus, many riders have seen for themselves that it’s a big help in going to their work and even in their personal trips),” she added.
Under the said agreement, the LTFRB will issue a Certification to the City allowing the Q City Bus to operate on eight initial routes.