Commuters now have to shell out fare when boarding buses on EDSA carousel as the government's free ride or libreng sakay program ends, according to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras."
Buses charge P15 for the first five kilometers. A fare of P2.65 is added for every kilometer of travel.For travel from Quezon Avenue to Ayala Avenue, one will pay P33 and from North Avenue to Ortigas, P22.50.Several commuters appeared unaware of the end of the free ride, and appealed for government to bring it back, or lower the fares.
"May mga pasahero pa ring naninibago sa haba ng free ride, umaasa pa rin silang free ride pa rin," a bus conductor said.Senior citizen Eddie Mercado said the free ride allowed him and his wife to travel often to Cavite to visit their children.Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency is studying the possibility of bringing back the free rides or privatizing the operation of the bus carousels.