Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Commuters wait for their respective rides along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Monday, September 23, 2024, during the first day of PISTON's two-day transport strike.

 The protest, taking place from September 23 to 24, opposes the franchise consolidation requirement under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. PISTON argues that this policy threatens the livelihood of small operators and drivers, who cannot afford the expensive modernized units.

Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

QC COMMUTERS

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) – The national government and several local government units (LGUs) on Thursday rolled out free ride programs to assist commuters affected by the nationwide transport strike staged by various transport and labor groups.In an advisory, the Department of Transportation said that the Office of the President, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police deployed buses and other vehicles from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. along the following major routes in Metro Manila.<ul><li style="line-height:1">Quiapo to Welcome Rotonda</li><li style="line-height:1">Welcome Rotonda to Cubao</li><li style="line-height:1">Nagtahan to Cubao</li><li style="line-height:1">Taft-UN Avenue to PITX</li><li style="line-height:1">Lawton to PITX</li></ul><div style="line-height:1"> </div>Several local governments also launched their own free ride initiatives.The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1261233706191266&amp;id=100069139452704&amp;mibextid=wwXIfr&amp;rdid=qemcQSvp3LHAaAqc#">Quezon City government </a> provided free rides for commuters along the following routes.<ul><li style="line-height:1">Quezon City Hall to Cubao</li><li style="line-height:1">Quezon City Hall to Litex</li><li style="line-height:1">Welcome Rotonda to Aurora-Katipunan</li><li style="line-height:1">Quezon City Hall to General Luis</li><li style="line-height:1">Quezon City Hall to Mindanao Ave. via Visayas Ave.</li><li style="line-height:1">Quezon City Hall to Gilmore Ave.</li><li style="line-height:1">Quezon City Hall to Ortigas</li><li style="line-height:1">Quezon City Hall to Muñoz</li></ul><div> </div>The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MalabonCityGov/posts/pfbid02s5jvwFZjdnyZGSWBFQeMNZZcvdnDo8ocGphJVkYHdCRZrgnuWAhMWfWDPHxxZk1Vl?rdid=QJxAn8WojV7S28Kt#">Malabon city government</a> stationed vehicles and rolled out free rides to assist commuters affected.The <a href="http://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1277900607857058&amp;id=100069113923869&amp;mibextid=wwXIfr&amp;rdid=KKSHrkTpEEAmOBFu#">Manila LGU</a> also stationed private vehicles in key areas across the city to ferry stranded passengers. Meanwhile, youth group Akbayan Youth staged a commuter action at MRT North Avenue, calling on the government to provide free public transportation amid rising fuel prices. The group gathered signatures for a petition seeking free rides on the MRT, LRT, and public buses, aiming to collect at least 500 signatures. &quot;Para sa amin po, pinapasa lang &#x27;yung bigat ng mga bilihin, ‘yung sumisirit po na presyo ng krudo sa mga commuter, sa mga driver. Isusumite po natin ito sa mga kasama natin sa House,&quot; said Akbayan Youth communications officer Frank Araneta.The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) deployed over 9,000 personnel across Metro Manila to maintain peace and order during the strike. NCRPO chief Anthony Aberin said police units, including Civil Disturbance Management teams, SWAT, traffic enforcers, and emergency responders, have been positioned in key areas to manage traffic, secure transport hubs, and respond to any incidents. He assured the public that authorities will exercise maximum tolerance during protests while coordinating closely with LGUs and transport agencies. The NCRPO urged commuters to remain calm, follow traffic advisories, and cooperate with authorities as monitoring continues for any disruptions. <div>RELATED STORY: </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/19/piston-launches-transport-strike-0805">Transport groups launch nationwide strike to protest soaring fuel costs</a></div>

The national government and several local government units (LGUs) on Thursday rolled out free ride programs to assist commuters affected by the nationwide transport strike staged by various transport and labor groups.

The national government and several local government units (LGUs) on Thursday rolled out free ride programs to assist commuters affected by the nationwide transport strike staged by various transport and labor groups.

Gov’t aids commuters with free rides amid nationwide strike

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Gov’t aids commuters with free rides amid nationwide strike

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 19, 2026 11:40 AM PHT

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Updated March 19, 2026 02:29 PM PHT

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Transport strike

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