The provision of more free rides to commuters has resumed with the expanded Service Contracting Program implementation in Metro Manila in response to the influx of travelers this Holy Week.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Martin Delgra said the program expansion is set to start Monday, April 18, but was implemented ahead of the target due to the demand for transportation.
There are 21 routes for free rides in the National Capital Region (NCR), including recently added routes along Commonwealth plying Lagro- Philcoa and Doña Carmen-Cubao. Among the beneficiaries are workers and those who are going to provinces in observance of the Holy Week.
Aside from the modernized public utility vehicles (PUV), traditional jeepneys are also included in the LTFRB’s Service Contracting Program. Operators and drivers will be paid under the gross and net contract term.
“Yung buong operation ng PUV, bayad na nang buo ng gobyerno, so hindi na po sila mag-alala na tatakbo kasi babayaran sila ng gobyerno nang buo,” Delgra said, adding that it will be a big help for drivers and operators affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and high fuel prices.
From 1,000 bus units traveling a day, there are now 1,500 units participating in the program that will benefit roughly a million commuters in the country.
The government has allocated a P7-billion fund for the program, with the assurance to drivers and operators they will be paid on time as long as they have the complete requirements and proof of trips made. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla/KC- ag
