CALOOCAN Mayor Dave Gonzalo Malapitan on Tuesday said that the local government has sealed a partnership with various tricycle and public utility jeepney (PUJ) transport groups based in the city to provide free rides for commuters.
The collaboration with the local organizations of tricycle and jeepney drivers and operators would involve financial subsidies for them with the goal of sustaining their regular income and, at the same time, extending help to the affected commuters amid the unabated increase in fuel prices, Malapitan told The Manila Times.
He said the city government forged a deal with several tricycle operators and drivers’ associations (TODAs) to implement a “Libreng Sakay” program that would start on April 6 to provide free trips to local commuters.
“We simply wanted to think of several measures, including this one, to alleviate the plight of the transportation sector due to the continuous fuel price hikes in local gas stations and, at the same time, help our affected commuters,” the mayor said.
According to the city’s Public Information Office (PIO), the program would be available during traffic rush hours — 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., wherein participating TODA members would stand to receive P695 for four hours of service per day.
Malapitan reiterated the local government’s full support to provide assistance to city-based public transportation providers as he ensured that additional programs would be implemented in anticipation of further surges in fuel prices.
The younger Malapitan said similar schemes would be carried out in the coming days involving jeepney organizations.
The PIO said interested applicants may inquire with their respective transport groups’ associations.
