Libreng Sakay program getting four more buses

CEBU, Philippines — Four additional buses will be added to Mandaue City’s Libreng Sakay program as the city shifts toward the use of electric vehicles.

Yesterday, August 25, the Mandaue City Government, led by Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, along with some members of the City Council and the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), conducted a dry run of the new electric buses purchased by the city.

The buses are persons with disability-friendly and are equipped with electronic ramps. To ensure passenger safety, the buses are also equipped with real-time monitoring cameras.

Ouano said the city purchased four electric buses, each with a capacity of 30 passengers per trip. The buses will require a 12-hour charging period.

Two buses arrived yesterday, while the other two are expected to arrive later this week.

The city is renting each bus for around ?6,000 per day. Ouano said the city allocated ?40 million for the rental and estimated that the total rental cost will be around ?15 million per year.

Included in the ?6,000 daily rental are the driver, operational expenses, maintenance, and charging, which will be handled by Global Electric Transport Philippines (GET-PH), the provider of the electric vehicle units.

Ouano said renting the buses is more favorable than purchasing the units.

“Sa among na-observe for the past few years, once gani ang city mopalit, once maguba daghan na kaayo diri sa atong motorpool nga gipangbilin nalang, mura’g junk nalang, para namo nga mas-economical nga mo-rent nalang wa na ‘tay huna-hunaon sa repair and maintenance,” said Ouano.

Ouano said the additional buses are the city’s way of helping commuters, especially students.

The four electric buses will operate on routes covering Barangays Paknaan, Centro, Cabancalan, and Canduman. These areas were identified by TEAM as having the highest number of commuters.

“Mao ni siyay mga area nga based sa study nga gi-conduct sa TEAM nga mao g’yud ni ang daghan kaayong manakay,” said Ouano.

Ouano clarified that the move is not intended to compete with the transportation sector but rather to provide additional options for the commuting public, especially during rush hours.

The electric buses are scheduled to operate from 5:30 A.M. to 9 A.M., 11 A.M. to 12:30 P.M., and 3 P.M. to 8 P.M.

“Wala ta nakig compete sa atong transport sector, ang atoa gihatagan nato og option labi na ang mga estudyante kung mabiyaan sila, naa lang g’yuy magsige og tuyok aning mga orasa,” said Ouano.

Last September, the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry donated two fuel-powered buses to the city government for the Libreng Sakay program. — (FREEMAN)