Some commuters were surprised when the free ride on the EDSA Bus Carousel stopped this Thursday.
Bus passengers will have to pay at EDSA Carousel starting July 1 after the Department of Transportation’s service contracting program under Bayanihan 2 expires.
This means that passengers will have to pay P13 to P61 for a one-way ticket, depending on the trip’s distance. In addition, up to P120 will have to be paid if you return.
Among those affected was Ryan Abolencia, who lost his job due to the pandemic.
“Sayang yung libre. Ngayon, may bayad na. Wala naman trabaho, mag-apply pa ulit,” said Abolencia.
Many of the passengers are minimum wage earners, and the free ride would have been a big help, they said.
Because Bayanihan 2 was not extended, more than P3 billion of unused DOTr funds will be returned to the National Treasury.
Free ride on EDSA Bus Carousel stopped
Bayanihan 2 enabled the DOTr’s service contracting program that allowed free rides.
However, the queue remained long even though there was a charge. According to some commuters like Efren Sahod, there is nothing they can do now.
“Okay lang. Nung nakaraan naman yung libre. Medyo nakatulong nang konti sa amin. Nakabawas-bawas din. Ganyan talaga, hindi naman pwedeng laging libre,” said Sahod.
The DOTr and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board had promised that they would seek funding to continue the program.
The government will also temporarily suspend their free ride program for workers and service contracting starting July 1.
This coincides with the end of the effectiveness of Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 law this Thursday.
In a joint statement, the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board explained that the funds paid to the drivers and operators who participated in the program came from the said law.
Last week, it was said that the House and Senate leaders would meet with President Rodrigo Duterte and possibly discuss the Bayanihan 2 Law and Bayanihan 3.
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