As fuel prices continue to remain unstable due to the ongoing Middle East crisis, commuters need to consider more affordable transport options compared to using private cars or ride-hailing services.
Currently, Filipino commuters can take advantage of a 50% general fare cut on the MRT-3 and LRT-2 lines, which began on March 23, 2026. This is an automatic discount provided by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) available to all passengers through the blue-colored Beep card and single-journey tickets. Senior citizens, students, and PWDs will still be entitled to their respective 50% discounts.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also plans to implement a two-week net service contracting program for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators starting April 15, 2026, with discounted rides for commuters.
ALSO READ:
Parking guide: Where to park near Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City
2026 LRT-2 Guide: Stations, landmarks, fare matrix
Aside from fare cuts, there are various other free transport services around the metro that commuters can take advantage of. Here are just a few:
Quezon City Bus Service
Since 2020, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s Libreng Sakay program has been providing commuters around Quezon City with a free way to get around the city. The Quezon City Bus Service offers free, air-conditioned bus rides with WiFi along specific routes within Quezon City for all passengers.
There are at least eight electric buses in their 100+ QCity bus fleet. As of April 2026, there are currently 8 routes, with most buses departing from Quezon City Hall. Routes include:
- Route 1: QC Hall to Cubao
- Route 2: QC Hall to Litex / IBP Road
- Route 3: Welcome Rotonda to Aurora Katipunan
- Route 4: QC Hall to General Luis
- Route 5: QC Hall to Mindanao Ave. via Visayas Ave.
- Route 6: QC Hall to Gilmore
- Route 7: QC Hall to C5 / Ortigas Ave.
- Route 8: QC Hall to Munoz
Check out Top Gear’s QCity Bus Libreng Sakay guide with the exact routes, stops, schedules and route map around Quezon City.
Office of the Vice President (OVP) Libreng Sakay
In case you didn’t know, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) offers free rides on the dedicated OVP buses. Since August 2022, the OVP has been running a Libreng Sakay program, providing free bus rides to commuters, not just in Manila, but across key urban centers nationwide.
The buses are typically deployed during holidays, natural disasters, and transport strikes, ensuring continuous mobility when public transport options are limited.
Currently, nine OVP buses serve high-demand routes during peak hours to assist workers and students. According to their Facebook page, this initiative is set for further expansion to help ease the burden on daily commuters amid rising oil prices.
The program currently operates nine OVP buses in Metro Manila, Naic-Cavite, Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, and Tacloban. In Metro Manila, buses run from Monday to Saturday from 5am to 9am in the morning and 5pm to 9pm in the evening. Key routes include:
- PITX to NAIC-Cavite (vice versa)
- Quiapo to Commonwealth (vice versa)
- Edsa Carousel PITX to Monumento (vice versa)
Check out the full schedule and routes of the OVP’s Libreng Sakay program on their website.
Pasig River Ferry Service
The MMDA Pasig River Ferry Service, which operates river ferry rides from Guadalupe station in Makati (walking distance from the MRT Guadalupe station) to Escolta near Intramuros, continues to operate with free rides for all passengers. While this service has been around for years, they launched a new electric ferry that can seat more passengers. Select trips are available in the morning, starting at 7:00am, with the last trip at 4:15pm, coming from Guadalupe, going downstream to Hulo, Lambingan, PUP, Quinta, Lawton, and Escolta (vice versa).
We previously shared a detailed guide of our experience riding the regular Pasig River Ferry, including the routes, stations, schedules, and landmarks. Take note that trip schedules may be adjusted or cancelled, and certain stations may be skipped due to varying factors. Make sure to check the MMDA Pasig River Ferry Service Facebook page for the latest updates.
Love Bus
The retro Love Bus is back in Metro Manila, reimagined as modern electric minibuses in a bid to make commuting more affordable, accessible, and eco-friendly. These new Love Buses feature air-conditioning & spacious seating, CCTV for safety, a low-floor entry with wheelchair access via foldable ramp.
Launched last September 2025, select routes offer free rides for commuters in Metro Manila during rush hours from 6 to 9am and 5 to 8pm, while PWDs and senior citizens ride free all day (with Love Bus App registration), and students get 50% off. Based on the Facebook page of CometLoveBus, free rides are sometimes offered the whole day for all passengers.
Five electric buses are currently plying the NCR routes, from:
- Valenzuela Gate Complex (VGC) to Batasan (and vice versa)
- Valenzuela Gate Complex (VGC) to PITX (via University Belt and MOA)
A new electric Love Bus route will soon offer free rides in Quezon City to Mandaluyong as well. According to MMDA, the new route is expected to be launched in the last week of April or the first week of May.
Robinsons Land recently partnered up with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and GET Philippines to provide a sustainable point-to-point bus service that commuters can ride for free. Ten units of the Electric Love Bus will operate from 6am to 9 or 10pm daily, excluding holidays. It will have a capacity of 30-35 passengers and will make an average of five to six trips per unit per day.
Pick-up points will be located at Robinsons Galleria's steel parking lay by and between Tera Tower and Opus Mall in Bridgetowne Destination Estate.
Manila City ‘Libreng Sakay’
Manila recently launched free rides provided via public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to assist commuters. The Manila City LGU fully subsidized the operations of thousands of jeepneys, allowing them to ferry passengers for free.
The Libreng Sakay program ran for five days over two weeks, from March 30–31, 2026, and April 6–8, 2026, focusing on high-demand areas such as Quiapo, Divisoria, España, Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz, and Pandacan, where thousands of commuters rely on jeepneys daily. According to the initial announcement, a possible extension of the service will depend on available funds and public demand.
Know of any other free or low-cost transport systems to take advantage of? Let us know in the comments section.
