FREE RIDES. Buses and jeepneys at the Porac Central Terminal in Pampanga in this undated photo. A total of 725,422 healthcare workers and authorized persons outside residence (APORs) in Central Luzon have so far benefited from the “Libreng Sakay" from April 13 to 28, 2022. (Photo by LTFRB Region 3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – More than 700,000 healthcare workers and authorized persons outside residence (APORs) in Central Luzon have so far benefited from the “Libreng Sakay” under the government’s Service Contracting Program Phase 3.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Central Luzon (LTFRB-3) logged 725,422 free rides given out by transport service cooperatives plying routes in the provinces of Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan,Tarlac, and Zambales from April 13- 28.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and LTFRB resumed the program to help public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers as well as commuters affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising fuel prices.
LTFRB Regional Director Nasrudin Talipasan said more routes for the free rides are expected to open in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Danny Musni, president of the transport service group DM UV Express Drivers Operators Transport Service Corporation, said the program is a big help to the operators, drivers, and front liners.
“The Service Contracting Program of the Department of Transportation and LTFRB is a big help to our operators and drivers. The compensation is almost equivalent to what we have been earning before the pandemic. It is also a big help to the front liners, APOR, and health care workers because they can save from their daily transport fares and they arrive at their work on time,” Musni said in a social media post.
Under the service contracting program, PUV drivers and operators will provide free rides to commuters and will be compensated by the government every week.
The government will shoulder the fuel expenses, disinfection, monthly amortizations, and other overhead expenses.
PUV drivers and operators will be paid based on the number of trips traveled per week regardless of the number of passengers they get. (PNA)
