MARIKINA CITY / MANILA – In an ambitious move to reduce traffic congestion, ease the cost of commuting, and modernize public transport, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has officially revived the iconic Love Bus service in Metro Manila—with free rides offered to commuters throughout September as part of its re-launch campaign.

The refurbished program, dubbed the Love Bus “Libreng Sakay” initiative, was unveiled during a launch ceremony held at the Valenzuela Gateway Complex in Valenzuela City on September 13, 2025. The event was attended by top government officials including members of the Department of Transportation and leaders from the local government unit of Valenzuela.

The modern Love Bus fleet consists of **twenty (20) electric buses** equipped to serve persons with disabilities and senior citizens free of charge at all times. During the launch month (September), the service is open to **all commuters** at no cost—free rides throughout the month—intended to allow citizens to experience the service without fare barriers.

After September, free riding privileges will continue for PWDs and senior citizens around the clock. For other passengers, free rides will be available during peak hours—specifically from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. General operating hours have been set from 5:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

Each bus in the fleet is designed to balance capacity with comfort and accessibility. They have seating for twenty passengers, capacity for ten standing travellers, and can accommodate four wheelchairs. Accessibility features include ramps and other PWD-friendly configurations. Commuters are required to register via a mobile app—currently available for Android; iOS version slated to be released soon.

President Marcos emphasized that reviving the Love Bus is part of a broader drive to modernize transport, reduce carbon emissions, lower commuting costs, and improve air quality in Metro Manila. He noted that *“now it’s newer, not like before… These are electric,”* signaling government intent to shift toward eco-friendly mobility solutions.

The Love Bus has historical resonance—the original service was introduced during the 1970s under former First Lady Imelda Marcos’s tenure as Metro Manila Governor. At that time, it represented a forward-looking public transport option and was among the first premium bus services in the city.

Local government units, commuters’ groups, and transport advocates have broadly welcomed the revival, citing potential relief from commuting costs, improved air quality, and better service for vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens and PWDs. Some observers, however, caution that consistent route planning, schedule reliability, and maintenance will be critical to ensure that the initiative fully meets public expectations.

As the Love Bus initiative rolls out, Metro Manila commuters are being encouraged to download and register via the Love Bus app ahead of rides, and to follow the announced schedules and routes, which will be published by the DOTr in the coming days.

If sustained and well-managed, analysts believe that the Love Bus revival could be a model for inclusive, sustainable, electric public transport in other urban centres in the Philippines. It could also signal a turning point in how urban mobility is addressed under this administration.