‘Libreng sakay’ to be expanded nationwide this week –DOTr exec

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday said it is set to expand this week the routes nationwide that will offer free rides to passengers under the third phase of its Service Contracting Program.

During a Laging Handa briefing, DOTr Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said “libreng sakay” initiative among public utility vehicles (PUVs) such as modern and traditional jeepneys, UV Express, and buses started on Monday, April 11.

“Itong linggo na rin ito, ila-launch na rin natin, iro-rollout natin itong iba’t ibang mga ruta sa buong bansa. Under the Service Contracting Program, makakaasa po ang ating mga kababayan na babalik itong libreng sakay hindi lang sa National Capital Region kundi sa Luzon, Visayas, at sa Mindanao,” he said.

(This week, we will also launch or rollout various routes around the country. Under the Service Contracting Program, the public could be assured that the free rides will return not only in the National Capital Region but also in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.)

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Saturday said the EDSA Bus Carousel route will be among the first routes to be activated in this initiative.

In the next few days, the LTFRB will open the NLEX to Metro Manila service route for the free ridership program.

“Ito po ay babayaran ng gobyerno, ‘yung kanilang daily operational cost (the government will pay the PUV drivers’ daily operational cost),” Pastor said, noting that the program has a budget of P7 billion under the 2022 General Appropriations Act.

“Ito ay epektibo hanggang meron kaming pondo. Kami ay naglaan ng P7 billion at ito ay uubusin natin upang masigurado natin ang kinikita ng ating drivers at operators at makakatipid ang ating mga kababayan sa paggastos sa transportasyon,” he added.

(This will be effective as long as we have funds. We have allocated P7 billion for this and we will spend it to ensure the income of our drivers and operators and help our countrymen save from their transportation expenses.)

Pastor said that under the Service Contracting Program, bus drivers in the EDSA busway will get P84 from the previous P82 per kilometer. Meanwhile, jeepney and other bus drivers are to receive P55 from P54 per kilometer, also considering the series of price hikes on fuel.

Under the LTFRB’s service contracting program, PUV operators and drivers who will participate in the government’s free ridership program will receive a one-time payout and weekly payments based on the number of kilometer traveled per week, whether they have passengers or not.—AOL, GMA News