JUST three weeks since the launching of the Libreng Sakay initiative for the Urgello, Cebu City-Parkmall, Mandaue City route, some selected modern public utility jeepneys (MPUJs) for the program are “no longer picking up passengers” and are now “hiding.”
Cebu City Councilor Winston Pepito, who chairs the committee on transportation, called for an investigation on the free ride program, which was implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
He also urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to intervene to ensure operators and drivers fulfill their responsibilities.
The DOTr launched on July 23, 2025 the Libreng Sakay program, which aims to cater to 20,000 passengers a day. The pilot area covered is the route traversed by 01K MPUJs, which is considered one of the busiest routes in the city.
There were 100 modern public utility vehicles (MPUVs) selected to participate in the program, with a budget of P150 million to P160 million, including the P350,000 daily subsidy for operators.
Pepito said he received reports that 01K buses are avoiding passengers, forcing some commuters to take motorcycle to reach their destinations.
“Instead of ‘libre,’ it has now become ‘doble’ for the riding public. Doble hassle, doble plete,” said Pepito in his Facebook post on Friday, August 15.
Pepito learned that some drivers feel unmotivated, saying they only receive fixed boundary fee from operators, not pay per passenger or trip.
The councilor said that in his dialogue with some drivers, they prefer not to join the program as they earned more before, especially during peak hours. (ABC)