Pasig River Ferry Service Kalawaan station. PHOTO COURTESY OF MMDA
MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig River Ferry Service on Tuesday opened another station in Pasig City so more commuters could avail themselves of the free ferry ride.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said Kalawaan station near the Kalawaan Bridge in Pasig now brings the total number of stations to 12. Abalos also said that two more stations — Quinta and Marikina — will also be opened.
“We want to serve residents of San Mateo and other parts of Rizal. This will be our new gateway, not just to address traffic, but also keep intact the rich cultural heritage of the Pasig River,” said Abalos in a statement.
Aside from Kalawaan station, there are also 11 other stations, namely: Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin and Maybunga in Pasig City; Guadalupe, Valenzuela in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; and Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP, Lawton, Escolta in Manila City.
For his part, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto also commended the MMDA’s ferry project.
“If we want to improve the mobility of people, there is no other solution but mass transportation, including the river ferry service,” Sotto said. “I am glad that the ridership is gradually increasing.”
The ferry service, which serves an average of 300-440 passengers a day, has a total of 17 ferry boats, nine of which are currently operational.