MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday, February 28 announced that free rides offered at the Pasig River Ferry Service will be extended until the end of March.
“We are happy to hear that people are enjoying the ferry ride going to their destinations and commuting by ferry has become a way of life to Metro Manila residents. That is why we are extending the free ride until March 31,” MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said in a statement.
The MMDA said the free ride, which started in December 2019, was supposed to end tomorrow, February 29. Commuters are served on a first-come-first-served basis.
The ferry service runs from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Escolta in Manila, with 11 stations: Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin and Maybunga in Pasig City; Guadalupe, Valenzuela in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; and Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP, Lawton, Escolta in Manila City.
The Pasig ferry service accommodates an average of 700 to 1,000 passengers a day which, according to the MMDA, is a sign that people are now opting to use the ferry service as an alternative mode of transportation to the already congested Metro Manila road network.
In anticipation of an increase in the number of passengers, the MMDA announced that more ferry boats will be added to better serve the public.
Three additional ferry stations, namely, Quinta Market in Manila, Circuit Makati in Makati, and Kalawaan in Pasig will be opened soon to further expand the operations.
“Some private groups have also expressed their intention to put up their own ferry stations to serve their immediate areas,” the MMDA said.
At present, the Pasig River Ferry Station has eight boats which can accommodate a varying number of passengers.
“Soon 150-seater ferries will be cleared for use as well,” Michael Salalima, MMDA PRFS deputy head, said.
The ferry service first opened in 2014. It was revived in 2019 in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila.
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