MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will inaugurate a new commuter boat for its Pasig River Ferry System on September 16.
MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino, the brand new ferry will be inaugurated at 8 a.m. at the the agency's lobby.
"All in all, we now have a total of 11 operational ferries in our fleet. These will service passengers along Pasig River, which stretches from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City up to Plaza Mexico in Manila. I am optimistic that this will further boost commuter patronage," Tolentino said.
The new fiberglass ferry has a maximum capacity of 45 passengers, crew included, can travel up to 12 knots.
To date, the ferry service has 11 stations which include Pinagbuhatan, 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.
It is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Mondays to Sundays.
Last year, the MMDA, along with Department of Transportation and Communications, and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, amid traffic congestion problems resulting from numerous road infrastructure projects in the metropolis.
Figures showed that a total ridership of the ferry system has reached 121,839 as of August 26.