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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider LTFRB eyes resumption of free bus rides by February 2023

LTFRB eyes resumption of free bus rides by February 2023

Published Jan 6, 2023 06:53 pm

The government’s free ride program, or Libreng Sakay, may resume next month, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) disclosed on Friday, Jan. 6.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said the free ride program will immediately resume once the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) releases the fund and as soon as proper documentation process, including contract signing with bus consortium, is done.

The budget for the Libreng Sakay is P1.4 billion and Guadiz said that based on their estimate, it will last until July once it starts in February.

Once the P1.4 billion is consumed, Guadiz said: We will ask for a supplemental budget from the DOTr (Department of Transportation) to make this Libreng Sakay year-round.”

“What is important now is for us to start this Libreng Sakay this February,” he added.

The Libreng Sakay program, through the EDSA Bus Carousel, started at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic for health workers and essential workers in a bid to keep the economic activity going amid lockdowns.

The multi-billion fund for free ride program ended in December 2022.

Bus shortage

Guadiz admitted that there is indeed shortage of buses for the EDSA Carousel since only 80 percent of the 550 buses have been operating.

During a meeting, the bus consortium was reported to have admitted that it was because of the shortage of bus drivers.

The shortage of drivers reportedly stemmed from the long delays of the payout, or the salary for bus drivers.

But Guadiz said they will exert all the efforts to provide salary for bus drivers every two weeks once the Libreng Sakay reumes its operation next month.

He said the LTFRB is also eyeing the deployment of more buses to maximize its operation for the growing number of commuters.

Implement fare matrix

Guadiz said the operators of EDSA Bus Carousel was already ordered to ensure that the proper fare matrix is implemented.

The implementation of the fare matrix system started when the Libreng Sakay program ended last month.

“We already provided the fare matrix to the two bus companies so this must be strictly followed,” said Guadiz in response to the complaints of commuters about the varying bus fares for bus companies plying EDSA.

“We believe that there are some isolated incidents and there was no clear intent to overcharge. It may just be mis-appreciation of the fare,” he added.

Guadiz disclosed that the two bus companies already gave him a word that they will meet with their drivers and conductors in connection with the issue of overcharging.

Related Tags

free rides EDSA Bus Carousel libgreng sakay LTFRB
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