THE iconic 1970s “Love Bus” is making its comeback to the streets of Metro Manila offering free rides for commuters.
Coinciding with his 68th birthday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the launching of the Love Bus “Libreng Sakay” program at the Valenzuela Gateway Complex, highlighting the government’s commitment to provide safe, affordable, and inclusive public transport, especially for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.
President Marcos personally experienced the service as he arrived at the venue aboard one of the units, together with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and their son, Joseph Simon.
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 6AM to 9AM and 5PM to 8PM.
For the entire month of September, rides will be free for everyone as part of the initiative’s launch.
Each bus has a 20 seating capacity, 10 standing capacity, and space for four wheelchairs, with ramps and other accessibility features that make it PWD-friendly. The bus will operate from 5AM to 10PM.
To ride the buses, commuters must download and register through the Love Bus mobile app, which is currently available on Android and will be released on the Apple App Store next week.
In partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Global Electric Transport, the Love Bus will ply different routes in Metro Manila routes.
Pilot runs for the program were earlier held in Cebu and Davao last July.
President Marcos first announced the revival of Love Bus during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28.
First launched in the 1970s as a project of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, the Love Bus was the country’s first air-conditioned bus service, offering a modern alternative to jeepneys and regular buses and becoming a symbol of urban progress.
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