New Pasig River ferry station to provide alternative public transport

Vehicle volume in Metro Manila is significantly increasing as it now nears pre-pandemic levels. In an effort to help alleviate the number of cars on the road, and to give commuters an alternative public transport, the Pasig River Ferry Service opened a new station. 

Pasig River Ferry Service new Kalawaan station

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) opened the new Kalawaan Station in Pasig City to provide commuters with an alternative mode of transport. The MMDA hopes that the new ferry station will help commuters get to their destination conveniently as the public transport in Metro Manila is still limited. 

The new Kalawaan Station is located at N. Cuevas Street. The ferry station’s entrance is near the Kalawaan Bridge, Pasig City. The opening of the said station increases Pasig River Ferry’s stations to 12. The ferry system also has the following stations: 

- Escolta Street in Binondo, Manila

- Liwasang Bonifacio in Ermita, Manila

- Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila

- Santa Ana in Sta. Ana, Manila

- Lambingan in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila

- Valenzuela in Valenzuela, Makati

- Guadalupe in Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati

- Hulo in Hulo, Mandaluyong

- Maybunga in Maybunga, Pasig

- San Joaquin in San Joaquin, Pasig

- Pinagbuhatan – Acacia in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig          

MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto

MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos considers the Pasig River Ferry Service as one of the solutions to the problems in public transportation. As such, the MMDA is also looking to add two more ferry stations in Quinta and Marikina soon.  

“The Pasig River Ferry Service is one of the solutions to the problems in public transportation,” said Abalos, adding that the ferry has been developed to provide a fast, smooth, reliable and affordable nautical transport system to help decongest road traffic in Metro Manila,” said Abalos.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto commended Abalos for the continuous improvement of the ferry service. Sotto added the mobility of people will improve through mass transportation, which includes the Pasig River Ferry Service. 

Kalawaan ferry station in Pasig City

“If we want to improve the mobility of people, there is no other solution but mass transportation, including the river ferry service. I am glad that the ridership is gradually increasing,” said Sotto.

On the other hand, the MMDA is looking to bring back the number coding scheme to help alleviate traffic in Metro Manila. Abalos said that the implementation of the number coding will be in effect at select times or during peak hours of the day. The agency considers putting the number coding in effect from 7 a.m. up to 9 a.m., and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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