Commuters in Metro Manila can ride for free on selected routes while the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are under way. The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it is working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on "Libreng Sakay," which puts ASEAN-designed modern jeepneys on two routes until November 14. The DOT is also waiving LRT-1 fares on set days.
At a glance
- Offered by: DOT, DOTr and LTFRB (jeepneys); DOT (LRT-1)
- Fleet: 15 modern jeepneys with ASEAN designs per route
- Operating hours: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- North Route: SM Fairview to Buendia, 29 km
- South Route: Sucat to Baclaran, 16.5 km, free since November 5
- Jeepney rides end: November 14
- Free LRT-1 days left: Wednesday, November 11 and Friday, November 13, 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM
Where the free jeepneys run
On the north side, the jeepneys shuttle between SM Fairview and Buendia, a 29-kilometer route shown on the map the three agencies shared. The DOT's post lists Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, España Boulevard and Taft Avenue (Buendia) among the points along the way, in addition to SM City Fairview and Regalado Avenue. Fifteen jeepneys serve this route between 4:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
The south route links Sucat and Baclaran and back, for 16.5 kilometers. The DOT said riders have not had to pay on this route since November 5, and that a separate set of 15 jeepneys runs it during the same 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM window. Commuters are told to watch for the vehicles at Waltermart Muntinlupa, Loyola Memorial Park, SM BF Parañaque, Manila Memorial Park, Waltermart Parañaque, SM City Sucat, Terminal 1, Baclaran Church, City of Dreams Manila, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and PITX.
Free train rides on LRT-1
Train commuters get their own free days. According to the DOT, November 9 was the first, tied to the ASEAN Summit commemoration, and regular commuters Alger Gapas and Irish Dela Cueva were among the hundreds of riders who saved on fare. Two free days remain: Wednesday, November 11 and Friday, November 13, each from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Why the DOT is doing it
In a DOT video, Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said Filipinos should be part of the summit's overall experience and should be equal beneficiaries of the hospitality and tourism offerings given to visiting delegates and leaders. She named the Libreng Sakay as one example.
The DOT also shared the story of Soledad, a senior citizen from Muntinlupa who travels daily to Parañaque and who the DOT said finds the free jeepney ride a big help. In another DOT video, a jeepney staff member can be heard telling waiting passengers in Filipino to board, as the ride is free from SM Fairview to Buendia.
How to ride
Based on the DOT's posts, commuters only need to spot a modern jeepney with the ASEAN design along either route and get on. No fare is collected, and the free jeepney service ends on November 14.
Source: Department of Tourism - Philippines (Facebook posts and videos). Route map: DOT, DOTr and LTFRB.