Marcos Revives Iconic ‘Love Bus’ Service with Free Rides for Metro Manila Commuters
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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.

#Transportation #MetroManila #PublicPolicy #Infrastructure #Philippines #FreePublicTransport #ElectricBuses
State pension on course for inflation-busting 4.7% rise under triple lock; JLR production shutdown extended again World Ozone Day 2025: Significance, origins, theme this year - everything you need to know UK fighters to fly air defence missions over Poland amid drone incursions Busan International Film Festival kicks off with record number of films and new competition categories India’s Engineers’ Day 2025: Celebrating Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s legacy for young innovators 2025 World Wrestling Championships begin in Zagreb, Croatia Independent probe approved for August riots by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto Floods devastate Bali; Indonesia’s president visits victims to pledge support Philippines showcases its investment potential at major Chinese trade fairs Marcos revives the Love Bus service with free rides for commuters in Metro Manila World Boxing Championships 2025 conclude in Liverpool after intense competition Polish airspace violated by a large number of Russian drones, says Polish PM Iraqi PM and US President announce release of academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, held since 2023 Iran agrees to new cooperation framework with UN nuclear watchdog Allahabad High Court grants bail to SP leader Azam Khan in forced eviction case All-women Indian Armed Forces team to circumnavigate the globe Boiler explosion and gas leak injure dozens at Gujarat Fluorochemicals plant Prabowo approves independent probe into August riots Indonesian farmers urged to avoid pesticide use for exports to China Construction of agro-textile complex planned in Myanmar to boost local industries India’s all-women sailing team aims to set world record on global voyage White House blocks removal of Fed Governor Cook after court ruling UK wages growth slows; average pay outpaces inflation despite economic headwinds Sunflower oil prices surge across Europe amid supply disruptions Labour market cooling in UK with unemployment steady at 4.7% Jaguar Land Rover extends production shutdown after cyberattack Sky to cut ~600 UK jobs amid corporate restructuring Typhoon jets to patrol Polish skies under NATO initiative Eastern Sentry Sweden increases defence spending following border drone incidents Spain calls for Israel’s exclusion from international sports over actions in Gaza Engineers’ Day: India honors innovators and engineers with special events India launches policy to encourage solar power growth Indonesia commences relief operations in Bali flood-hit zones Myanmar textile complex plan aims to boost agro-industrial output Philippines to strengthen trade relations with China after fair participations Polish PM warns of drone threats from Russia violating sovereign airspace Global concern after reports of food crisis worsening in multiple African countries New UCI Road Cycling World Championships to be held in Rwanda — first time in Africa India-USA joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas underway in Alaska Poland, Romania summon Russian ambassador over repeated drone incursions US trade advisor says India ‘desperate’ for American markets amid tariff tensions Allahabad HC bail ruling raises political temperature in UP Flood victims in Bali receive aid as government pledges reconstruction Iran-UN nuclear watchdog cooperation to be reviewed under new agreement Air quality warnings issued in Southeast Asia after severe haze Global markets respond to oil supply revisions by IEA and OPEC+ New UN study highlights mental health crisis intensifying globally German inflation data shows easing, ECB eyes policy options Latin America sees rollout of ambitious free trade agreements Technology summit in Asia to focus on AI ethics and regulation Australian wildfires force evacuations in vulnerable regions Climate activists protest ahead of major environmental agreements Breakthrough in cancer research offers promise for new treatments New smartphone launch creates buzz with foldable screen and AI features Japan’s yen falls to multi-month low amid economic uncertainty UK law passes tougher digital content regulation law South Korea increases surveillance of North Korea missile tests Mexico cracks down on cartel trafficking routes Brazil launches rainforest protection initiative backed by international donors EU to propose carbon border tax to curb emissions Canada introduces policy to reduce plastic waste in oceans Africa trade summit outlines goals for intra-continental commerce SpaceX schedules next Starlink launch after recent successful mission New species of marine life discovered in coral reefs off Australia Breakthrough in battery tech promises longer life and faster charge Water scarcity looms in parts of the Middle East due to heatwave Cultural heritage threatened by illegal trading in antiquities Humanitarian aid reaching remote zones after natural disasters Refugee numbers rise sharply following conflict escalation Global supply chains disrupted by port closures in Asia Tourism rebounds in Europe ahead of peak season Cryptocurrency markets react to regulatory changes in US and EU AI-Powered Learning Platform 'LearningRO' Gains Rapid Popularity Among Students Breakthrough in renewable energy storage unveiled Wildlife conservation efforts show positive results in Amazon region Global food prices spike due to crop failures Major earthquake shakes parts of South America Advances in quantum computing draw investor attention Fashion week in Paris draws international celebrities Artists unite to protest world hunger through benefit concert Breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research raises hopes Water release from dams raises risk of downstream flooding Major cybersecurity breach affects government agencies New space telescope detects candidate exoplanet Electric vehicle adoption surges in developing nations