More Pasig ferries to be put into service

The government plans to put more passenger ferries in Pasig River into service before June this year to provide an alternative mode of transportation to Filipino commuters in Metro Manila, officials said.

In a media forum, Anneli Lontoc, Undersecretary for Road Transport of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), said the Pasig River Ferry Service, which was recently inaugurated by President Arroyo, is still in its promotional stage until June.

She said they are studying how many vessels should be added to meet the anticipated demand. The service currently has three vessels.

The ferry service traverses the 27-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.

The latest ferry service is air-conditioned and has newer, faster craft and more ferry stations along the stretch that traverses six cities.

The air-conditioned boats have music on board and as well as a bar. The stations, on the other hand, will likewise be air-conditioned and will have such amenities as pay phones, a security system and a ticketing scheme that uses both paper tickets for single journeys and radio frequency IDs for stored value.

The initial cruise is passing through the newly built Pasig River ferry stations located in Sta. Ana and Lambingan in Manila, Barangay Hulo in Mandaluyong and Guadalupe in Makati City.

Other stations are: Escolta, Plaza Mexico, Quezon Bridge, Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila; Valenzuela in Makati City; San Joaquin and Caniogan in Pasig City, Riverbanks, Sta. Elena and Marcos Bridge east in Marikina City; and Napindan in Taguig City.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza earlier said each terminal cost P80 million to build.

During the first week of operation, commuters were given free rides to promote the new service. Passengers currently charged P25. Regular fare rates will range from P25 to P45 per passenger, depending on the distance, after June 30.