Free Bus Service Launches in Davao City
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has launched the Libreng Sakay program in Mindanao, bringing relief to commuters in Davao City. This free bus ride initiative covers the busy Lasang to Roxas route via Sasa Road during peak hours. Running daily, including weekends and holidays, the service operates from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
About 6,000 daily passengers are expected to benefit from this government-backed program. The Libreng Sakay program aims to ease the financial burden of commuters, especially students and senior citizens. As a Palace spokesperson shared, this effort follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to improve daily commutes for Filipinos.
Substantial Savings for Commuters
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon highlighted the program’s impact, stating, “This is a big deal because a roundtrip from Lasang to Downtown costs P100. That means a weekly savings of P500 for the 6,000 daily passengers who use this route.” He emphasized the importance of helping fellow citizens, saying, “We really need to help our fellow citizens, especially our commuters. The President instructed the DOTr to find ways to assist commuters, particularly students and senior citizens nationwide.”
Program Funding and Expansion Plans
The Libreng Sakay program has a budget allocation of P70 million annually and is planned to continue until 2028, according to government sources. The DOTr and LTFRB are also preparing to extend free bus rides to the Cabaguio route in Davao City.
Secretary Dizon further mentioned plans to add more buses to existing routes and expand the program to additional routes within Davao City and other major Mindanao cities. This initiative complements existing services such as the Peak Hour Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) and the soon-to-launch Davao Interim Bus Service (DIBS).
Visayas Gets Its Own Libreng Sakay Program
Meanwhile, the national government recently introduced the Libreng Sakay program in Cebu City for the Visayas region. Passengers along the Urgello-Park Mall route can enjoy free rides on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., continuing until 2028.
This Visayas leg is expected to benefit around 20,000 commuters daily, with weekly savings of up to P200 per passenger. Local officials noted that the initiative is a major step toward making public transportation more accessible and affordable for many Filipino commuters.
For more news and updates on free bus ride programs, visit Filipinokami.com.
