QC offers 'libreng sakay' via electric buses

Residents of Quezon City may now avail of free rides using the new electric buses procured by the local government unit.

The QC LGU procured eight new modern electric QCity buses which can seat 41, with enough space for additional standing passengers, according to a report by Christian Maño on Dobol B TV on Saturday.

The buses also have wheelchair ramps to help persons with disability board and disembark from the buses with ease. They also have handrails, fire suppression and emergency equipment, CCTV cameras, and smart televisions.

The electric buses began servicing the North Avenue-EDSA-Muñoz route on Friday.

In the next few weeks, the electric buses will also service other routes as the LGU plans to go purely electric in its libreng sakay service in the future, according to Maño's report. For now, the LGU also still offers libreng sakay using its QCity traditional buses.

The QC LGU said it procured the electric buses as part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in 2030, and also to comply with Republic Act No. 11697 (Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act or EVIDA Law). The said law mandates that at least 5% of government fleets — whether owned or leased — should be electric vehicles. —KG, GMA Integrated News