LTFRB releases fare matrix as EDSA Bus Carousel ‘Libreng Sakay’ ends on Jan 1

After almost two years, the free rides service at the EDSA Carousel or Busway system is ending on January 1, 2023, after which commuters will have to pay the corresponding fare for their trips.

In an advisory on Saturday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it issued Board Resolution no. 189 s. 2022.

Under the resolutions, the EDSA Busway service will operate under a Fare Box Scheme: using the fare matrix/guide approved by the LTFRB starting 5 a.m. on January 1, 2023.

A total of 550 public utility buses (PUB) from the two consortia - ES Transport and Partners Consortium and Mega Manila Consortium Corp. - currently operating along the busway, can continue their operations in the EDSA Carousel system.

“Mapapalitan din ang ibang Point-to-Point Bus ng dalawang consortia sa EDSA Busway ng PUB Units na pasok sa specificaions ng iba pang PUB units sa naturang ruta. Ang mga ipapalit na PUB ay kailangang mag-apply ng Special Permit bago makapasada sa EDSA Busway,” the LTFRB said.

“Nakasaad din sa Board Resolution na lahat ng PUB units na bibiyahe sa EDSA Busway ay kailangan mag-apply ng Fare Matrix/Guide upang makasingil ng pamasahe,” it added.

The agency said the fare matrix gives authority to PUV drivers to charge fares from their passengers.

Below is the far matrix:

“Pinapaalala ng LTFRB sa mga PUB drivers na sumunod sa mga polisiya ng ahensya upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga pasahero,” it said.

“Ang sinumang mahuhuling lumalabag sa mga naturang polisiya ay papatawan ng karampatang parusa tulad ng pagkansela ng kanilang Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) o prangkisa,” it added.

Early this week, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to open the bidding for the privatization of the operations and maintenance of the EDSA Bus Carousel service in the first quarter of 2023.

The government has been offering free rides on the EDSA Bus Carousel under its “Libreng Sakay” program since November 2020.

Under the program, the government taps buses to provide free rides to commuters.

According to the DOTr, the EDSA Bus Carousel accommodates around 320,000 to 390,000 passengers daily. — DVM, GMA Integrated news