Free EDSA bus rides may resume next month

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is eyeing the return of the government’s free bus ride program by next month.

LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz said yesterday they want to relaunch the Libreng Sakay or free ride program at the EDSA Carousel busway by next month after Congress approved P1.4 billion for the program, which was discontinued at the end of December.

“For now, we are waiting for the Department of Budget and Management to release the funds for us to continue the Libreng Sakay program. Our timeline is February this year,” he said in Filipino during a press briefing.

Guadiz said supplementary funds could be needed if the government wants to further extend the implementation of the free ride program.

Last year, the Marcos administration released P1.4 billion to extend the program up to Dec. 31 when it was supposed to end on July 31.

Guadiz said they talked to the members of the consortium operating the busway to address the deficiency in the number of buses being deployed, resulting in longer queues.

He said the operators should ensure that there are enough buses to serve the demand, especially during peak hours.

The LTFRB earlier said it has reverted the number of buses plying the EDSA Carousel busway back to its original 550 units from a high of 758 units deployed during the holiday rush.

Guadiz also warned operators to take action against conductors who are supposedly overcharging customers.

The LTFRB said all EDSA Carousel buses should adhere to the fare matrix issued by the LTFRB.

Guadiz is also advocating for a long-term solution through a mass transport system anchored on buses and trains to solve the transport woes of commuters.