In an announcement on its official Facebook page, the Department of Transportation (DOTR) stated that it is continuing to provide free rides for workers who have a critical role in fighting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was decided upon in order to comply with the DOTR Secretary, Arthur Tugade’s request to further help health workers, medical workers, and other kinds of frontliners.
DOTr's free rides has now served 2.3 million commuters
From March 2020 to June 2021, the said program has already served 2,369,776 people. Of that number, 617,527 are from NCR, while 1,708,118 are from other regions. Considering the sheer number of riders that used the said program, there’s no doubt that it did make an impact.
For your reference, here are the 20 routes in Greater Metro Manila that are being serviced by the DOTr’s Free Ride buses:
Route 1: Meralco (Malanday) to United Doctors Medical Center
Route 2: Valenzuela Gateway Complex to United Doctors Medical Center
Route 3: SM City San Jose Del Monte to Centris
Route 4: SM Masinag to The Medical City Ortigas
Route 5: Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center to Rizal Medical Center
Route 6: MRT 3 Cubao to Philippine General Hospital via MRT 3 Centris Station
Route 7: Pasig City General Hospital to Makati Medical Center
Route 7a: Medical City Ortigas to VRP Medical Center
Route 8: Starmall Alabang to St. Luke’s Medical Center - BGC
Route 9: Vista Mall Daang Hari to United Doctors Medical Center
Route 10: RITM to Starmall Alabang
Route 11: Starmall Alabang to Manila Doctors Hospital
Route 12: Dasmariñas Pala-Pala to Manila Doctor’s Hospital
Route 13: Starmall Alabang to Sea Oil Imus Daang Hari/Aguinaldo
Route 14: SM City Taytay to St. Luke’s Medical Center – QC
Route 15: SLEX Sucat Exit to Philippine General Hospital
Route 16: MRT-3 Cubao to Philippine General Hospital
Route 17: SM City San Jose Del Monte to SM Fairview/ Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center
Route 18: LRT-1 Monumento to Baclaran Market
Route 19: First Cabuyao Hospital and Medical Center to Starmall Alabang
Route 20: SM City Masinag to Lawton
Of course, proper health protocols are followed on these free rides
To complement the free bus ride program, the DOTr is also working together with the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and has thus put up 50 free jeepney routes. This is in conjunction with the Service Contracting Program, and will likewise serve essential travelers and Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR).
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