4 more Pasig River ferry stations opened

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday opened four more terminals for the Pasig River ferry service, hoping to draw more commuters to this alternative mode of transport especially in the coming school year.

The addition of Hulo station in Mandaluyong City, Valenzuela station in Makati City, and the Lambingan and Quezon Bridge stations in Manila brought the total number of stations to 11. Two more stations—at Riverbanks, Marikina City, and at Eastwood, Quezon City—are expected be opened within the year.

The others terminals are in Pinagbuhatan and San Joaquin in Pasig; Guadalupe in Makati; and PUP-Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana, Escolta and Plaza Mexico, all in Manila.

“We know there are many problems in public transportation and our answer to that is the Pasig River ferry system,’’ MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said, noting that the new stations would make the service accessible to more Mandaluyong and Makati residents.

According to Rey Lunas of the MMDA’s urban planning division, 11 ferries are currently in operation, with five brand new boats joining the fleet by the end of the month.

Some of the vessels can seat 40 to 50 passengers while others can accommodate 20, he added.

Past versions of the ferry system proved to be commercial failures for their private operators, but the service was revived last year by the MMDA, the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, as work started on various infrastructure projects and worsened the traffic situation on major roads. Kristine Felisse Mangunay and Celine Palenzuela