The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has expanded its free Love Bus program in Metro Cebu, providing daily relief to thousands of commuters as part of the local government’s push to reduce transportation costs.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced the expansion on Thursday, highlighting the program’s alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to revive and modernize the iconic “Love Bus” as a free public transport service.
“The President wanted to revive the Love Bus and make it better. It’s now free,” Dizon said. “We are rolling it out across the country, and it’s symbolic that we are launching this expansion in the Visayas and Mindanao. The program is worth it because it directly benefits commuters.”
The latest phase of the program introduces 11 Love Buses servicing the Talisay City/Anjo World–Cebu City route, expected to assist approximately 2,462 passengers and support 44 operators and drivers each day.
Passengers previously spent around ₱60 daily for round-trip fares on this route—an expense now eliminated under the free ride initiative.
“This is a big deal for our workers and students,” Dizon added, citing conversations with passengers who underscored the financial relief provided by the service.
The Love Bus program was initially launched in Cebu in July under the Service Contracting Program (SCP), starting with the Urgello–Parkmall route. That pilot phase served around 20,000 passengers daily, with nearly 650,000 commuters benefiting since the program’s inception.
The rides are available during peak hours, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., helping ease congestion and provide cost-effective mobility for the public.
The DOTr aims to replicate the success of the Cebu program in other key regions as part of broader efforts to improve mass transportation accessibility nationwide.
