By Brian Campued
Following its comeback on the streets of Metro Cebu and Davao City last month, the iconic 1970s “Love Bus” is finally plying the roads of Metro Manila!
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the launching of the Love Bus Libreng Sakay Program at the Valenzuela Gateway Complex, coinciding with his 68th birthday.
“Itong Love Bus na ito malaking tulong ito sa pagbawas ng polusyon, sa paggastos ng krudo. Malaking tulong din ito sa mga PWD (person with disability) at senior citizens… Tangkilikin po ninyo ang ating bagong Love Bus,” Marcos Jr. said
“Malaking tulong po ito para sa ating sitwasyon dito sa Metro Manila—kung minsan napakatagal maghintay bago dumating ‘yung bus, napakabigat ng traffic, ang bagal-bagal ng takbo,” he added.
The President, together with First Lady Liza Marcos and son, Joseph Simon, also experienced the Love Bus service as they arrived at the venue aboard one of the units.
The return of the memorable Love Bus was teased by the Chief Executive during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, when he ordered the revival of the bus service to help ease commuters’ financial burden, while providing safe, affordable, and convenient public transport options to Filipinos.
At least 20 electric Love Buses in the National Capital Region (NCR) will provide free rides for everyone for the whole month of September as part of the initiative’s launch.
By October, all PWDs and senior citizens will still enjoy free rides at all times, while ordinary commuters may avail of free rides during peak hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The entire Love Bus service will operate from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Commuters must first download and register through the Love Bus mobile application, which is currently available on Android and will be released on the Apple App Store next week, before they can ride the bus.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the buses will ply the routes Valenzuela Gateway Complex (VGC) Terminal-Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Batasan Hills Loop and VCG Terminal-Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
Each unit has a 20-seating capacity, 10-standing capacity, and space for four wheelchairs, with ramps and other PWD-friendly features.
The DSWD said the Love Buses in NCR are under the care of the Persons with Disabilities – Electronic Transportation Service (PWD-ETS) from the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
DOTr acting Sec. Giovanni Lopez assured the public that the Love Bus Libreng Sakay Program will also be expanded to cover other urban areas across the country.
“Gaya nga ng sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos [Jr.], dapat paginhawain natin ang araw-araw na biyahe ng ating mga komyuter. Palalawigin pa natin itong Love Bus libreng sakay sa iba’t-ibang lugar sa bansa,” Lopez said.
-jpv
