Pasig River ferry offers free rides
The Pasig River ferry service has been an alternative mode of transport to Metro Manila commuters who want to avoid traveling the busy streets
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday relaunched its Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) with free rides on offer beginning 9 December until 31 January 2020, as per the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Sen. Bong Go and MMDA chairman Danilo Lim announced the good news during the relaunch ceremony at the Lawton Station in Manila yesterday.
“The Pasig River ferry service has been an alternative mode of transport to Metro Manila commuters who want to avoid traveling the busy streets. Now, they can enjoy ferry rides between Pasig City and Manila for free until the end of January,” Lim said.
“With the government’s collective effort and President Duterte’s order, Pasig River is now clean from floating garbage. So, aside from the ferry service being an alternative mode of transport, commuters can now enjoy the beauty of the river while on cruise,” Go added.
The senator encouraged the concerned government officials to find ways and source funds for the ferry service to be free until the end of 2020.
“I urge the MMDA and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to work on offering the ferry free of charge or keep fares at a minimum because this will be of help to commuters,” he added.
He added that the renewed beauty of the 25-kilometer river will attract more passengers.
The ferry service runs from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Escolta in Manila, with stations at Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin and Maybunga in Pasig City, Guadalupe and Valenzuela in Makati City, Hulo in Mandaluyong City, and Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP, Lawton and Escolta in Manila.
To further expand operations and cater to more passengers, there is a plan to construct three more ferry stations, namely: Quinta Market in Manila, Circuit Makati in Makati and Kalawaan in Pasig.
Lim said the free ferry transportation program hopes to encourage the public to patronize the service over public utility vehicles and avoid the hassle of commuting in congested metro roads.
Commuters will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. In preparation for the relaunch, the MMDA chief ordered the refurbishment of ferry stations and the sourcing of additional boats to better serve passengers.
“Expectbetterservices with additional safe and speedy boats, rehabilitated ferry stations and additional personnel,” Lim said.
He also thanked the local chief executives of Metro Manila for their support for the project, especially Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto who provided two newly procured ferry boats,
which are now part of the PRFS fleet.
“I would like to specially thank the local government of Pasig for lending two passenger boats for the use of the ferry service, and to Mayor Vico Sotto who has been very supportive with this endeavor in providing alternative transport options to Metro Manilans,” Lim added.
He added that “though the river ferry service still needs a lot of work, these efforts have given government the needed institutional knowledge and experience in turning this river ferry service into a viable transport alternative.”
The Pasig River ferry service now has seven boats that can accommodate varying number of passengers, ranging from 16 to 57. All ferry stations boast comfortable seats, convenient rest rooms and free WiFi connectivity for passengers waiting for their rides.
The MMDA also installed closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to ensure the safety of the passengers and distributed radio equipment for concerned personnel for emergency purposes.
“Stations are important elements in the operation of the ferry service. We commit to provide safe and convenient travel to the passengers,” Lim explained.
Further, Pasig ferry personnel have undergone a refresher course in first aid to ensure the safety of the passengers during emergencies.
The revival of the Pasig River Ferry Service is in line with President Duterte’s order to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila. The ferry service first sailed in
2014 to serve also as an alternative to congested roads in
metropolis.