THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Monday marked its 41st anniversary by giving free rides to passengers of the Pasig River Ferry System.
“In line with the celebration of the 41st anniversary of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority today, Nov. 7, 2016, the ride on the ferry boats of the Pasig River Ferry System is FREE for the whole day,” the MMDA public information office stated in its advisory.
“The public can ride the boats for free the whole day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. covering all 12 stations —from Barangay Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Escolta in Manila.”
MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos said the free ride will also attract more commuters to patronize the ferry boat service along the historical Pasig River, especially with current concerns about vehicular traffic in Metro Manila, particularly along the already congested Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
He added the free boat rides is one way of giving back to the people for its support to the ferry system since April in 2014.
Orbos said ferry service is also a convenient and fast alternative mode of transportation for those going to Manila City from eastern part of Metro Manila.
The Department of Transportation has a plan to improve the service of the ferry system, according to Orbos.
“I met with Secretary [Arthur] Tugade and he told me to improve the service, facilities and [make] additional routes. He also told the [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] to supply intermodal transportation.”
The MMDA is also set to open new terminals on River Bank in Marikina City and Eastwood in Quezon City. “Our target is before the end of the year,” the MMDA chief said.
Early this year, the agency came up with a mobile application to help passengers get easy access in availing the Pasig River Ferry service.
Using the mobile app would help passengers check the schedule of daily trips. The app can be downloaded via their smartphones and Android mobile devices.
Commuters can check the estimated time of arrival and departure of the ferries at the 12 stations along the Pasig River.
The MMDA came out with the app, developed by Rising Tide Developers, to encourage more people to patronize the Pasig ferry as an alternative mode of transport especially with the growing concerns on the state of land-based mass transport system.
Aside from the ETA and ETD, passengers can also view the ferry routes and their corresponding fares, vessel and feeds that are generated from the MMDA social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter and Viber.
The app can also provide information such as the nearest ferry stations near the user, a photo gallery, and other MMDA public advisories and announcements.
The MMDA is currently operating 16 ferries picking up and dropping off passengers at the 12 stations in Pinagbuhatan, Maybunga and San Joaquin in Pasig City; Guadalupe and Valenzuela in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; PUP Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana, Lambingan, Lawton, Escolta, and Plaza Mexico, all in Manila.
MMDA records showed that the total ridership of the ferry system has reached more than 150,000 as of December last year.
The MMDA revived the Pasig River system in 2014 as a means to decongest Metro Manila’s major roads affected by road construction projects being implemented by the government.
The program also aimed to boost Metro Manila’s tourism and can be used for disaster and rescue purposes as well.
Reports showed that the government stopped the Pasig River Ferry operations in 2011 following complaints from passengers about the long waiting time at the terminals and the river’s foul smell.
