OVP wants operations of its 9 ‘Libreng Sakay’ buses extended
Commuters queue to ride the EDSA Bus Carousel in Monumento, Caloocan City. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Thursday said it has sent a proposal to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend its “Libreng Sakay” [free ride] operations.
OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said the proposal seeks to extend Libreng Sakay’s operations by two hours—from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
READ: OVP launches ‘Libreng Sakay’ program; to use 5 buses lent by private sector
“Because in our study, there are already many passengers as early as 4 o’clock. And for regular passengers on the Edsa Carousel buses, it’s already full and delayed because of rush hour when all the vehicles are on the road at the same time,” said Castelo in a chance interview with reporters.
“So for those who prefer to leave the house earlier, we have a 4 to 10 schedule, but we still need the final study. It’s just a recommendation for now,” she added.
According to Castelo, the OVP still has to submit more justifications to the DOTr for the proposal to be approved.
The DOTr, she said, is also currently conducting its own study to determine whether or not the additional hours are indeed needed, and to decide which specific routes the extended hours will be implemented.
The OVP’s Libreng Sakay program began in August 2022 just a month after Vice President Sara Duterte assumed office.
It currently has nine total buses—two owned by OVP while the others are on lease from private companies—operating from Monday to Saturday covering seven routes.
The routes currently being plied by the OVP’s Libreng Sakay buses are as follows:
- PITX to Naic, Cavite (and vice versa)
- PITX to Monumento, Caloocan (and vice versa)
- Quiapo, Manila to Commonwealth, Quezon City (and vice versa)
- Tacloban City to Yolanda relocation site (and vice versa)
- Around Metro Cebu
- Around Davao City
- Around Bacolod City /apl
