DOTr starts free ride program for commuters from Northern Luzon
The free ride for program commuters coming from the North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) in Bocaue, Bulacan going to Cubao has started on Thursday, April 21, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Passengers from the NLET are mostly those who were unloaded by provincial buses coming from the northern part of Luzon.
Aside from the NLET-Cubao route, the DOTr said another route will also available and that is the NLET- PITX (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange).
"The first trip will be available at 1 a.m. anbd 12 midnight. This is part of the Service Contracting Program Phase 3," the DOTR said in a statement.
The program was aimed at assisting the passengers who are affected by the policy of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that all provincial buses must not enter Metro Manila and instead unload and pick up their passengers either at the NLET for those coming from northern Luzon and PITX for those coming from southern Luzon.
"We have enough buses available for this program in order accommodate passengers," the DOTR said.
The department also revealed that the free ride at the EDSA Busway Carousel will continue, starting 4 a.m. until 11 p.m.
It added that more routes will available in the coming days, such as the free ride program in Cagayan de Oro City which started recently.
Healthcare workers and essential workers are the priorities of the free ride program of the DOTr.