Free bus rides in Cebu city to ease backlog of passengers

[Jollygoodfellow]

Free rides great but since many drivers/owner operators are struggling wont this take a way more livelihood? Most will try to get a free ride creating less passengers for those trying to make a living.

 

How Cebu City is dealing with a jeepney shortage

CEBU, Philippines – At least 300 drivers have stopped driving in Cebu City due to the skyrocketing fuel prices, Greggy Perez, coordinator of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) – Cebu Chapter, said in a media forum on Tuesday, June 21

Many of those drivers who had already experienced months without work due to COVID-19 lockdowns and Typhoon Odette, were hoping to get back on their feet when they were hit with this latest roadblock.

Cebu City plans to deal with it through their free bus program.

Mayor Mike Rama told Rappler in a phone interview that the city government’s buses are always ready to ferry commuters who might be affected by the reduced number of PUV drivers.

“We’ve always had our busses if our jeepneys can’t ply the streets. The city will take care of the transport of residents,” he said. The buses are free for residents.

The “libreng sakay” program under the LTFRB is also operating until June 26th.The Cebu City government is also providing fuel discounts and cash aid to PUV drivers

Full Story

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

39 minutes ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

The buses are free for residents.

I wonder if they are free for "all" residents or only the brown skinned ones.  My money would be on the latter but lets here from some SRRV residents if they get a free ride.

[Mike J]

My Filipina wife has taken the free bus a couple of times from Moalboal to Cebu City.   When we go together we pay the fare for an AC bus or hire a private car but my wife loves a "bargain" and is also known to squeeze a peso until it cries out in pain. 

Edited June 23, 2022 by Mike J

[Old55]

PUV's are still necessary but it would benefit traffic if many were eliminated. Efficient affordable bus service would reduce traffic congestion pollution and noise.  

[hk blues]

We have had free rides on the modern jeepneys since the election but it will end sometime soon.  It's a double-edged sword though - I much prefer to use them even when they are more expensive than the old jeepneys but now they are always full as they are free.  And, as more and more modern jeepneys appear less and less older ones survive - great we say.  Not so much when you can now no longer get to where you want to go so easily or so quickly or so cheaply as there is a mismatch between the routes of the old v new jeepneys.  All rural jeepneys now have to stop at a terminal(s) and then passengers alight and get another jeepney into the city - having to pay again for this.

As is often the case here, great concept but no so great implementation.  

[Jollygoodfellow]

17 hours ago, Old55 said:

PUV's are still necessary but it would benefit traffic if many were eliminated. Efficient affordable bus service would reduce traffic congestion pollution and noise.  

Many were eliminated and replaced with the modern jeepney. The government said they must be removed and phased out. The old ones  had until l think it was this year but might have been extended since covid. Anyway in my area you hardly see any old jeepney now, all modern jeepneys or buses. But there are not enough at peak times now or in the past during covid lock downs. I see long queues' in the terminal over the road every morning and late afternoon even though probably only about half as many people working in the IT park now.

Other areas are like this

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/449509/cebu-city-mulls-free-transport-for-stranded-workers-during-rush-hours