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LTFRB eyes discounts instead of 'Libreng Sakay' in EDSA Bus Carousel


The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday said it might only offer discounts in EDSA Bus Carousel instead of free rides due to limited budget.

At a press briefing, LTFRB chief Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III said this is to “stretch” the P1.2-billion budget given for the program.

“Malamang ang gagawin dito [Probably what we will do here] is we will just be giving discount,” he said when asked if the Libreng Sakay Program in the EDSA Bus Carousel will resume.

Guadiz said not only buses but other modes of transportation such as jeepney will be covered by the planned discounts.

According to him, the LTFRB is still waiting for the instructions of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) regarding the program's implementation.

At a televised public briefing, LTFRB technical division head Joel Bolano said the agency is just waiting for the budget to be downloaded to them.

“Hinihintay na lang natin na ma-download sa LTFRB yung budget na P1.2 billion para sa ngayong taon [We are just waiting for P1.2 billion to be downloaded to the LTFRB],” he said.

Fuel subsidies

Meanwhile, Bolano said that around P3 billion budget has been allocated for the fuel subsidies for public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The government has been offering free rides in the EDSA Bus Carousel under its “Libreng Sakay” program, which ended on December 31, 2022. 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. —KBK, GMA Integrated News

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