MMDA holds dry run on Pasig River ferry service

MMDA tests its protoype ferry bus on Pasig River in its bid to revive the Pasig River ferry system. NIÑA CALLEJA/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday conducted a dry run on its river bus ferry to cruise along Pasig River.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino led the morning trial run starting from the old Guadalupe ferry station in Makati City up to Intramuros in Manila.

Tolentino said the ferry service called “MMDA River Bus Ferry” would be another public transportation option for commuters as the simultaneous construction of major infrastructure road projects in the metropolis has started.  These road projects are expected to cause huge traffic jams in the metropolis within the next few months.

Reviving a service that had been on and off for the past years, MMDA developed a prototype ferry bus on top of a tug boat capable of carrying up to 40 people.
On Tuesday, Tolentino said the operation of the ferry service is temporary and would encourage private companies to give the ferry service another try after its failed ventures in the past.

He added that the revival of the river ferry service is scheduled in April this year wherein they would use their own 40 ferries and would charge commuters a minimal fare.

In 2011, the Pasig River Ferry operations stopped due to passenger complaints about the long waiting time at the terminals and the river’s foul smell, among others.