Can’t book a rideshare service or don’t want to deal with traffic and parking problems going around Quezon City? You might want to take advantage of QC’s Libreng Sakay's fairly extensive bus network.
In case you didn’t know, the QCity Bus Service, which started as a transport augmentation scheme in 2020, is now a permanent program of the Quezon City local government that’s free to ride for life.
Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte signed Ordinance No. SP-3184, S-2023, or the QCity Bus Ordinance, in June 2023. According to the directive, the QCity Bus service “shall cater to the citizens of Quezon City and individuals who are working, studying, or transacting within the city.”
Yup, anyone can hop on these buses to get a lift, whether or not they’re residents of Quezon City. Some routes offer easier access to MRT and LRT train stations, making going around by mass public transport a cheaper and time-saving alternative to driving in the current gridlock.
Here’s what you need to know about the QCity Bus program, including the complete list of routes, stops, schedules, how to ride, and more.
How many routes and buses are there?
There are currently eight QCity Bus routes, seven of which begin and end at the Quezon City Hall. The main Quezon City Libreng Sakay Bus terminal can be found in front of the National Housing Authority (NHA) Interchange between Kalayaan Avenue and Maharlika Street. Some buses depart from the QC Hall Gate 3 along Kalayaan Avenue.
Only Route 3 does not pass pass QC Hall, and instead goes from Welcome Rotonda to the LRT-2 Anonas Station. The buses with the farthest endpoints are Route 2 (Litex), Route 4 (Nova Bayan), and Route 7 (Ortigas IPI).
The Libreng Sakay bus program has a fleet of approximately 100 QCity buses spread across the eight routes, which have been operating since 2020. In December 2024, it was announced that eight new modern eco-friendly buses will be joining the fleet soon. The new electric buses were designed for better accessibility, featuring 41 seats and wheelchair ramps to accommodate persons with disabilities.
What are the routes of the Libreng Sakay Bus?
- QC Hall to Cubao
- QC Hall to Litex / IBP Road
- Welcome Rotonda to Aurora Katipunan
- QC Hall to General Luis
- QC Hall to Mindanao Ave. via Visayas Ave.
- QC Hall to Gilmore
- QC Hall to C5 / Ortigas Ave. Extension
- QC Hall to Muñoz
Route network map
To better illustrate the coverage area in Quezon City, here’s a more detailed map shared by the Quezon City Government of all the areas you can ride the free buses. Zoom in to see the specific stops.
How to ride the QCity Bus
- Check bus routes and schedules.
- Identify the nearest bus stops to your location and your destination.
- Arrive at the bus stop a few minutes early. Wait in the designated area for the bus to arrive.
- Enjoy the free ride. The QCity Bus offers free rides to all passengers. Simply board the bus and find a seat.
- Get off at your destination safely.
Route 1: QC Hall to Cubao
Stops: QC Hall to Cubao
-
Quezon City Hall Gate 3 Kalayaan Avenue
-
Kalayaan Avenue corner Masigla Street
-
Kalayaan Avenue corner Kamias Road Interchange
-
Barangay Silangan Hall
-
15th Avenue corner Aurora Boulevard
-
Cubao (Araneta City/Ali Mall)
Stops: Cubao to QC Hall
-
Cubao (Araneta City/Ali Mall)
-
Barangay Silangan Hall
-
Kalayaan Avenue corner Kamias Road Interchange
-
Kalayaan Avenue corner Masigla Street
-
Quezon City Hall Gate 3 Kalayaan Avenue
Schedule, Quezon City Hall to Cubao
- Monday to Friday
- 6am – 11:30am (10 mins interval)
- 11:30am – 4pm (30 mins interval
- 4pm – 8pm (10 mins interval)
- 8pm – 8:30 pm (30 mins intervals)
- Saturday: 6:30am – 8:30pm (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Schedule, Cubao to Quezon City Hall
-
Monday to Friday
- 6am – 11:30pm (10 mins interval)
- 11:30am – 4pm (30 mins interval)
- 4pm – 8pm (10 mins interval)
- 8pm – 9pm (30 mins interval)
- Saturday: 6:30am – 8:30pm (30 minute interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Route 2: QC Hall to Litex / IBP Road
Stops (both ways)
- Quezon City Hall NHA Interchange
- Commonwealth Avenue (St. Peter Parish Church)
- IBP Road, Maclang General Hospital
- IBP Road, Quezon City University–Batasan Hills
- IBP Road, Litex
Schedule, Quezon City Hall to Litex/IBP Road
- Monday to Friday
- 6am – 9am (6 mins interval)
- 9am – 4pm (30 mins interval)
- 4pm – 8pm (6 mins interval)
- 8pm – 9pm (30 mins interval)
- Saturday: 6:30am – 8:30pm (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Schedule, Litex/IBP Road to Quezon City Hall
- Monday to Friday
- 5:30am – 9am (6 mins interval)
- 9am to 4pm (30 mins interval)
- 4pm to 8pm (6 mins interval)
- Saturday: 6:30am to 8:30pm (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Route 3: Welcome Rotonda to Aurora Katipunan
Stops (both ways)
- Welcome Rotonda cor. E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue
- E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue corner Araneta Avenue, Quezon Institute (Q.I.)
- E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, St. Luke’s/National Children’s Hospital
- E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue corner Gilmore Interchange
- Kamuning Road, Delgado Hospital (Kamuning Market)
- Kamuning Road, K-E St.
- Kamias Road, EDSA
- Kalayaan Avenue corner Kamias Interchange
- Kamias Road corner Anonas Road
- Anonas Road, Chico Street
- Aurora Boulevard, LRT-2 Anonas Station
- Aurora Boulevard, J.P. Rizal Street
- Aurora Boulevard corner Katipunan Interchange (LRT-2 Katipunan Station)
Schedule, Welcome Rotonda to Aurora Boulevard
- Monday to Friday
- 6:40am – 9am (20 mins interval)
- 9am – 5pm (30 mins interval)
- 5pm – 7pm (20 mins interval)
- Saturday: 7am – 7pm (1 hour interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Schedule, Aurora Boulevard to Welcome Rotonda
- Monday to Friday
- 6:40am – 9am (20 mins interval)
- 9am – 5pm (30 mins interval)
- 5pm – 7pm (20 mins interval)
- Saturday: 7am – 7pm (1 hour interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Route 4: QC Hall to General Luis
Stops (both ways)
- Quezon City Hall NHA Interchange
- North Avenue, Veterans Hospital/Vertis North
- Mindanao Avenue corner Road 1
- Mindanao Avenue (Tullahan Bridge)
- Mindanao Avenue corner Congressional Avenue
- Mindanao Avenue corner Tandang Sora Avenue
- Mindanao Avenue corner D. Muñoz Street
- Mindanao Avenue corner Old Sauyo Road
- Mindanao Avenue corner Quirino Highway
- Quezon City University Main Campus/Novaliches District Hospital
- Quirino Highway / SM Novaliches
- Quirino Highway corner Forest Hills Drive
- General Luis - Nova Bayan
- General Luis corner Banahaw Street
- General Luis corner SB Road
Schedule, QC Hall to General Luis
- Monday to Friday
- 5:40am – 9am (10 mins interval)
- 9am – 2:30pm (30 mins interval)
- 2:30pm – 8pm (10 mins interval)
- 8pm – 9pm (30 mins interval)
- Saturday: 6:30am – 8:30pm (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Schedule, General Luis to QC Hall
- Monday to Friday
- 5:10am – 9am (10 mins interval)
- 9am – 2:30pm (30 mins interval)
- 2:30pm – 7:50pm (10 mins interval)
- 8pm (last ride)
- Saturday: 6:30am – 8pm (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Route 5: Quezon City Hall to Mindanao Avenue via Visayas Avenue
Stops (both ways)
- Quezon City Hall NHA Interchange
- Visayas Avenue, Central Avenue
- Visayas Avenue, Vargas Street
- Congressional Avenue, Visayas Avenue
- Congressional Avenue, Circle C
- Mindanao Avenue, Congressional Avenue
- Tandang Sora Avenue
- D. Muñoz Street
- Old Sauyo Footbridge
- Mindanao Avenue, Quirino Highway Interchange
Schedule, QC Hall to Mindanao Avenue
- Monday to Friday
- 6am – 9am (10 mins intervals)
- 9am – 4:30pm (30 mins interval)
- 4:30pm – 9pm (30 mins interval)
- Saturday: 6:30am to 8:30am (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 8am to 8pm (1 hour interval)
Schedule, Mindanao Avenue to Quezon City Hall
- Monday to Friday
- 6am – 9am (10 mins intervals)
- 9am – 4:30pm (30 mins interval)
- 4:30pm – 7:50pm (10 mins interval)
- 8pm (Last ride)
- Saturday: 6:30am to 8:30am (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 8am to 8pm (1 hour interval)
Route 6: QC Hall to Gilmore
Stops (both ways)
- Quezon City Hall NHA Interchange
- Quezon Avenue, Philippine Children’s Medical Center
- Quezon Avenue, EDSA (Ibabaw)
- Quezon Avenue corner Examiner Street
- Quezon Avenue, Delta
- Scout Tobias Street corner A. Roces Avenue
- E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue corner Gilmore Interchange
- Aurora Boulevard (LRT Gilmore Station, Robinsons Magnolia, Hemady Street)
Schedule, Quezon City Hall to Gilmore
- Monday to Friday
- 6:30am – 9am (15 mins interval)
- 9am – 4pm (30 mins interval)
- 4pm – 8pm (15 mins interval)
- Saturday: 7:00 - 7pm (1 hour interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Schedule, Gilmore to Quezon City Hall
- Monday to Friday
- 6:30am – 9am (15 mins interval)
- 9am – 4pm (30 mins interval)
- 4pm – 8pm (15 mins interval)
- 8pm – 9pm (30 mins interval)
- Saturday: 7:00 - 7pm (1 hour interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Route 7: QC Hall to C5/Ortigas Avenue Extension
Stops (both ways)
- Quezon City Hall NHA Interchange
- C.P. Garcia Avenue (Krus Na Ligas)
- Katipunan Avenue (Santa Maria della Strada Parish)
- Katipunan Avenue (Ateneo de Manila Gate 3)
- Aurora Boulevard corner Katipunan Avenue (Interchange)
- Katipunan Avenue, P. Tuazon Avenue (Quirino Memorial Medical Center)
- Katipunan Avenue corner Boni Serrano Avenue
- E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Eastwood City
- E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue corner Greenmeadows Avenue
- E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue corner Ortigas Avenue (flyover)
Schedule, Quezon City Hall to C5/Ortigas Avenue Extension
- Monday to Friday
- 6:30am – 9am (15 mins interval)
- 9am – 5pm (30 mins interval)
- 5pm – 8pm (15 mins interval)
- Saturday: 7am – 7pm (1 hour interval)
- Sunday: 8am to 8pm (1 hour interval)
Schedule, C5/Ortigas Avenue Extension to Quezon City Hall
- Monday to Friday
- 6:30am – 10am (15 mins interval)
- 9am – 5pm (30 mins interval)
- 5pm – 8pm (15 mins interval)
- 8pm – 9pm (30 mins interval)
- Saturday: 7am – 7pm (1 hour interval)
- Sunday: 8am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Route 8: Quezon City Hall to Muñoz
Stops (Quezon City Hall to Muñoz)
- Quezon City Hall, Kalayaan Avenue
- North Avnue, Veterans Hospital/Vertis North
- North Avenue, Philippine Medical Association (MRT-3 Trinoma/Trinoma Mall)
- Congressional Avenue corner Abra Street
Stops (Muñoz to Quezon City Hall)
- Congressional Avenue corner Abra Street
- Barangay Ramon Magsaysay Hall
- Corregidor Street corner Ilocos Sur Street
- SM City North EDSA, Quezon City University (San Francisco High School)
- North Avenue, Veterans Hospital/Vertis North
- Quezon City Hall NHA Interchange
Schedule, Quezon City Hall to Muñoz
- Monday to Friday
- 6am – 10am (10 mins interval)
- 10am – 1pm (30 mins interval)
- 1pm – 7:30pm (10 mins interval)
- 7:30pm – 9pm (30 mins interval)
- Saturday: 7am – 8pm (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 7am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
Schedule, Muñoz to Quezon City Hall
- Monday to Friday
- 6am – 10am (10 mins interval)
- 10am – 1pm (30 mins interval)
- 1pm – 7:30pm (10 mins interval)
- 7:30pm – 9pm (30 mins interval)
- Saturday: 7am – 8pm (30 mins interval)
- Sunday: 7am – 8pm (1 hour interval)
NOTE: The drop-off points on the routes may change without prior notice.
Commuter tips for the QCity Bus
All QCity buses operate daily except on holidays. Buses are clean, airconditioned, and are equipped with free WiFi on board. The buses prioritize seniors, pregnant women, and PWDs. If there’s a long line of passengers, they allow around 15 passengers from the priority lane to board first, before letting regular passengers board. If you’re traveling on a popular route, expect a longer waiting time.
Boarding is organized, with dedicated personnel directing people where to line up at the NHA interchange. Unlike other buses, they don’t allow people to stand on the bus for safety, so conductors only accept the number of passengers for the available seats. Passengers are not allowed to eat or leave litter inside the bus.
Based on my personal experience riding on a weekday (rush hour), the intervals weren't strictly followed due to traffic, but the waiting time wasn’t so bad because of the frequent intervals of buses. I ended up having to wait about 30 minutes to ride (instead of 10 minutes) because of the volume of passengers who had lined up before me. The travel time going from QC Hall to SM North took another 30 minutes because of the traffic. If you’re not in a rush and are headed somewhere near one of the designated stops, then it’s worth lining up and waiting for the next available bus. While it may be slower than booking a cab (if you can get one), it's definitely cheaper since it's free. For motorists, it's also less of a hassle driving through traffic and having to find parking.
Have you tried riding the free QCity bus? Don't you wish other cities would roll out free bus rides as well? Sound out below in the comments section.
