LTFRB to resume free rides for front-liners, workers

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday revived its service contracting program with a P3-billion funding under the 2021 budget, to ensure safe and convenient mobility “under the new normal condition.” With the revival, the Department of Transportation is expected to resume next week its free ride program for health and medical front-liners, essential workers and authorize persons outside of residence. The LTFRB said the second phase of the program would run until December 2021 or until all the funds allotted were exhausted. Public utility vehicle (PUV) operators, not individual drivers, will be paid based on the maximum number of trips traveled by a PUV unit per week. —Mariejo S. Ramos