Bus conductors back to work as ‘Libreng Sakay’ ends

The suspension of free rides may have devastated commuters  but for bus conductors, it helped them get employed again.

With the Bayanihan 2 expiration on Wednesday, the service contract program and free rides of the transportation department was halted.

Bus drivers needed conductors again to collect payments from passengers.

Just like conductor Raymart Peñamando, getting rehired after three months meant providing for his family again.

"Puro utang lang sa 5"6 sir. (I was only relying on debts before.)," he said over an interview at June Veneracion's "24 Oras" report.

If it weren't for the free ride suspension, Restie Ramal would not be able to pay his rent.

"Pinapalayas na nga kami sa bahay e. (They are already asking us to leave.)," Ramal said.

Meanwhile, some passengers were not able to prepare their fare since the suspension only started this Thursday.

"Bukas sana makapagprovide sila ng pamasahe. Ngayon pinagbigyan namin. (I hope they provide us fares, we let them off the hook for today.)," Jason Manlapaz, bus conductor who got his job back, said.

However, for Rosario Camaniego, commuters like her need free rides as it helped alleviate their expenses amid the pandemic.

"Sir sana po magkaroon ng libre hanggang Disyembre para makabangaon kami sa maraming utang. (I hope we get free rides until December so we can pay for our debts.)," Camaniego said, appealing to President Rodrigo Duterte and his government.

Suspension on free rides, however,  won't be permanent, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. The agency previously said it is looking to process funds from the 2021 national budget to extend the service.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News