By Gabriela Baron
The “Libreng Sakay” Program of EDSA Busway 2 will operate 24/7 beginning Dec. 1, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said this was in response to the expected influx of passengers during the holiday season and as Metro Manila malls extended their operating hours until 11:00 p.m.
“Ang inisyatibong ito ng DOTr at LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] ay paraan upang siguruhin na may masasakyan ang lahat ng ating mga pasahero beyond the usual operating hours sa EDSA Busway. Bukod sa hindi na nila kailangang isipin ang pamasahe, makasisiguro rin sila na mabilis ang kanilang magiging pagbyahe,” Bautista said.
Bautista also vowed to intensify security operations on the EDSA Busway, through the help of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (IACT).
“Pangunahing konsiderasyon natin ay ang kaligtasan ng ating mga pasahero,” Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said.
“Bago pa simulan ang 24/7 operations, paghahandaan na ito ng ating traffic enforcers mula sa I-ACT upang tiyaking magiging matiwasay ang pagsakay at pagbaba ng bawat komyuter sa EDSA Busway, lalo na ngayon na inaasahan nating mas tataas ang ridership ngayong buwan ng Disyembre,” he added.
The Department of Budget and Management added P1.4 billion in funds to extend free rides on the EDSA Busway until the end of 2022. -ag
