Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — Commuters who will travel from the North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) to Araneta Center Cubao or to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange may enjoy free rides starting Thursday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced Wednesday night.
The free rides start at 1 a.m. and end at midnight. The LTFRB has assured passengers that there will be sufficient number of public utility vehicles (PUV) going in and out of Metro Manila through the NLET-Cubao and NLET-PITX routes.
Meanwhile, the EDSA Busway Carousel will continue to provide free rides from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.
More routes will be opened and more PUVs will be deployed for free rides nationwide in the following days, the LTFRB said.
The free rides are part of the Service Contracting Program Phase 3 rolled out on April 11, with the EDSA Bus Carousel being among the first to offer free rides to passengers.
READ: LTFRB to roll out service contracting, free rides on April 11
The Service Contracting Program of the government aims to help PUV drivers and operators affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and fuel price hikes. Under the program, PUV drivers and operators will receive payouts based on the number of trips they made in a week.
