Marcos brings back 'Love Bus' in Metro Manila

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Saturday graced the launching of the ''Love Bus'' in Valenzuela City.

''Tangkilikin po ninyo ang ating bagong Love Bus para makabawas pasahe, makapag-savings nang kaunti, mabawasan ang traffic, mabawasan ang pollution dahil nga electric,'' Marcos said.

(Please take advantage of our new Love Bus units to save on fares, save some money, and help reduce traffic and pollution, as they are electric vehicles.)

''Malaking tulong po ito para sa ating sitwasyon dito sa Metro Manila,'' he added.

(This is a big help for our situation here in Metro Manila.)

In his fourth State of the Nation Address in July, Marcos said the iconic Love Bus would make a comeback.

The Love Bus was introduced in several Metro Manila routes in the 1970s and was the only air-conditioned bus at the time.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the new Love Bus units will be pulled from the Persons with Disabilities - Electric Transportation Service (PWD-ETS) project under the SLP, the flagship livelihood program of the agency. 

A total of 20 SLP associations in collaboration with their chosen transport service provider, the Global Electric Transport (GET) Philippines, will be leading the operation of the 20 units of Love Bus, which will ply different routes across Metro Manila.

Each bus unit is equipped with ramps for wheelchairs and other accessibility features, addressing the transportation obstacles faced by those with mobility issues.

"The new fleet of 20 electric Love Buses will provide free rides for all PWDs and senior citizens at all times, while ordinary commuters may avail of free rides during peak hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.. For the entire month of September, rides will be free for everyone as part of the initiative’s launch," the Presidential Communications Office said in a press release. —VBL, GMA Integrated News