Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Friday Manila commuters will continue to enjoy free public transportation in select routes and public utility vehicles (PUV) under the less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 15.
In his Facebook post, Tugade said DOTr and LTFRB will continue to provide free rides for healthcare workers, medical front liners, essential workers, and other authorized persons outside residence (APORs).”
“We want to ease your burden. The fare you’ll save from this program can instead be used to buy food and other necessities for your family and loved ones,” he added, noting that the per kilometer (km) incentive received by PUV drivers under the program has also been increased.
Under regular service contracting, jeepney drivers receive P27 per km. up from P11, while bus drivers get P45.50 per kilometer, up from P23.10. For those participating in the free ride program, jeepney drivers now receive P52.50 per km up from P46.80 while bus drivers receive P82.50 up from P46.80.
Tugade said these are in addition to other incentives such as a one-time onboarding incentive of P25,000 for those who joined the program before April 30, and P20,000 for those who joined the program from May 1 to June 15, 2021.
The DOTr and LTFRB have added a weekly incentive. PUV drivers under the program may receive an additional P7,000 if they log in five times (five days) in a week,” he added.
The NCR Plus—Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal— has been placed anew under GCQ following a recommendation from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, but certain limitations were retained like allowing “essential travel” only into and out of the NCR plus, while minors remain barred from leaving their homes.