Commuters ask for return of Libreng Sakay on EDSA bus carousel

Commuters now have to shell out fare when boarding buses on EDSA carousel as the government's free ride or libreng sakay program ends, according to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras."

Buses charge P15 for the first five kilometers.  A fare of P2.65 is added for every kilometer of travel.

For example, a ride from Monumento to the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange will cost P75.50.

For travel from Quezon Avenue to Ayala Avenue, one will pay P33 and from North Avenue to Ortigas, P22.50.

Senior citizens and students will get a 20 percent discount for every ride.

Several commuters appeared unaware of the end of the free ride, and appealed for government to bring it back, or lower the fares.

"May mga pasahero pa ring naninibago sa haba ng free ride, umaasa pa rin silang free ride pa rin," a bus conductor said.

"Medyo babaan 'yung pamasahe para hindi mabigat," a commuter added.

Senior citizen Eddie Mercado said the free ride allowed him and his wife to travel often to Cavite to visit their children.

"Sana may libreng sakay pa para magkita-kita pa kami nung mga anak ko," he said.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency is studying the possibility of bringing back the free rides or privatizing the operation of the bus carousels.

"Ang DOTR at LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) ay gagawa ng programa kung paano madidistribute itong P2.1 billion," he said.

"Ito po ang pag-aaralan natin para naman magamit natin nang maayos itong P2.1 billion na sinet aside ng Kongreso at ng Senate para sa contract service program natin," Bautista added.

GMA News has reached out to the private bus consortium servicing the EDSA carousel for their side.—LDF, GMA Integrated News