QC free bus ride augmentation program serves 5.3 million passengers
Mayor Joy Belmonte with more than 3,000 PUV operators and drivers in QC.
MANILA, Philippines — Launched in December 7, 2020, the Quezon City Bus Augmentation Program or Q City Bus, which provides free ride to commuters, has already served more than 5.3 million passengers.
The city buses traverse eight routes every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Quezon City Hall To Cubao; Route 2: Quezon City Hall To LITEX; Route 3: Welcome Rotonda To Aurora Blvd./Katipunan; Route 4: Quezon City Hall To Gen. Luis; Route 5: Quezon City Hall To Mindanao Ave. Via Visayas Ave.; Route 6: Quezon City Hall To Gilmore; Route 7: Quezon City Hall To Ortigas Avenue Extension; and Route 8: Quezon City Hall To Muñoz.
“This program was launched to address the need for a reliable, efficient and safe means of transportation during the pandemic especially during the times when public transportation is unavailable or limited. The program enables our QCitizens to save a lot on transportation expenses,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
With fuel prices soaring in the last few weeks, Mayor Belmonte encouraged QCitizens to avail of free rides under the Q City Bus.
“Sobrang mahal na ng gasolina at kasunod na rin niyan ang pagmahal ng mga bilihin. Kailangan nating magtipid kaya malaking bagay na yung malilibre mo sa pamasahe, maipambili mo na ng bigas,” Belmonte said.
The lady mayor earlier entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to help provide additional transportation to commuters.
“Umaasa tayo na makatutulong ang programang ito upang maibsan ang kakulangan sa pampublikong transportasyon at upang mas mabilis at ligtas na makarating ang mga commuter sa kanilang pupuntahan. Iwas-hawa na, may free wifi pa. Kaya naman mula nang ilunsad natin ang Q City bus, marami talagang sumasakay at nakita nila mismo na malaking tulong ito sa kanilang pagpasok sa trabaho o kahit sa personal man na lakad,” she added.
Under the said agreement, the LTFRB will issue a Certification to the City allowing the Q City Bus to operate on eight initial routes.
According to City Administrator Michael Alimurung, the program remains open to the public.
Alimurung also allayed worries that the program would contribute to traffic congestion, saying buses will only stop on designated pick-up and drop-off points along their routes.
“We also expect the program to reduce the number of private cars as motorists might opt to take our bus en route to their destination,” said Alimurung.
The complete lists of routes, pick-up and drop-off points are available on the QC’s official Facebook page (fb.com/qcgov) and on its official website (quezoncity.gov.ph).
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