MANILA, Philippines — The government will relaunch its free ride program for public utility jeepneys and buses in Metro Manila beginning Nov. 1, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced yesterday.
At a press briefing, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said the Department of Budget and Management has approved funding of P1.3 billion for the free rides along the EDSA Carousel and other parts of Metro Manila.
“This month, we expect the release of the funding for the return of the free rides,” Guadiz told reporters.
He said the “libreng sakay” program is part of the service contracting system of the Marcos administration.
The LTFRB will give priority to modern jeepneys and cooperatives previously enrolled in the service contracting scheme, according to Guadiz.
He said the transport regulator would also pay operators of public utility vehicles who were not paid during the pandemic.
The free rides will last until Dec. 31 as “early Christmas gift to commuters,” Guadiz said.