QC provides free ride to affected commuters during transport strike

A Quezon City bus offering a free ride during the first day of Piston’s nationwide transport strike this Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Photo from Quezon City Government Facebook Page

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government on Thursday provided more free rides to affected commuters during the first day of a nationwide transport strike.

The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) has an ongoing transport strike, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision not to extend the Dec. 31 deadline for franchise consolidation and phaseout of traditional jeepneys.

In a post on its official page, the local government unit (LGU) of Quezon City said their Q City Buses continue to provide free rides, especially now that there is a strike, to assist commuters.

“Handa ang walong ruta ng mga bus na maghatid paikot sa lungsod,” the post said.

(The eight routes of the buses are prepared to provide transportation around the city.)

READ: Piston threatens to camp out in front of LTFRB until demands met

The LGU also said personnel of their Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), General Services Department, Quezon Police District, and Traffic and Transport Management Department (TTMD) are on the ground to help stranded passengers.

In a subsequent post, the LGU said their DPOS also provided e-trikes to service their constituents affected by the strike.

READ: Manila offers free rides as Piston goes on strike again

Meanwhile, the city government said that as PISTON conducts its protest through the strike, TTMD personnel assist in the traffic flow and management of passenger pick-up points in the city.

According to the LGU, almost 18,000 passengers were given free rides through the eight routes of the Q City buses.

In a text message, TTMD head Dexter Cardenas told INQUIRER.net that on its first day, the strike had “no significant effect” as number of participants was “minimal.”

Cardenas also said that although a number of passengers got stranded along Anonas, Kamias Road, Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, and Philcoa, the city government’s program was able to cater to them immediately.

The transport strike will continue until Friday, Dec. 15, according to PISTON.