Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has signed the free bus rides ordinance authored by District 5 Councilor Alfred Vargas institutionalizing the program.
“I am grateful to Mayor Joy and my colleagues in the city council for approving Ordinance SP-3184, S-2023. With this ordinance, we can now guarantee the sustainability of the Q City Bus program, which our mayor pioneered and implemented to benefit thousands of Quezon City passengers every day,” Vargas said.
The bus program has serviced 12 million passenger rides on its eight routes.
The city mayor initiated the program at the height of the pandemic and its institutionalization is a joint priority of the city’s executive and legislative departments.
Vargas cited the program’s socio-economic impact, saying the residents can use their savings from the free bus rides for food, electricity, and other basic necessities.
He said he rode the free bus ride from Novaliches to city hall, adding he was impressed by its efficiency and convenience.
“Everyone deserves a comfortable travel to work or school, one that values their time and well-being. This is what we envision with our ordinance,” he said.