MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is looking to relaunch the government’s free rides on the EDSA Carousel by the second quarter of this year.
LTFRB technical division head Joel Bolano said the government has allotted funding for the “libreng sakay” program, but has yet to download the amount to the agency.
Bolano said the P2.16 billion funding for 2023 is lower compared to previous years.
The LTFRB and Department of Transportation are finalizing the guidelines for the free bus rides on EDSA.
Bolano said the two existing bus consortiums could be deployed or further contracting may be done to continue the free rides on the EDSA Carousel.
“Regardless of the operators, ang importante ay ma-address ang ridership natin sa EDSA busway,” Bolano said.