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LTFRB scales down buses on EDSA after Libreng Sakay ends, releases fare guide

The EDSA Busway Carousel will still operate 24/7, but with fewer busses and with a new fare guide.

Jerome Tresvalles on Jan 06, 2023

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced last Tuesday that the number of busses traveling the EDSA Busway Carousel will drop from 758 to 550 after their free ride program “Libreng Sakay sa EDSA Carousel” ended on the first day of the new year.

In a statement, the LTFRB said that EDSA Busway Carousel will continue to operate 24/7 though this time on a “fare box” scheme using the approved fare matrix and with fewer bus units ferrying passengers.

Related: Libreng Sakay no more: EDSA Carousel free rides to end on December 31, 2022

The “fare box” will be the method by which bus passengers will be billed using the fare matrix approved by the LTFRB. Bus operators on the EDSA Busway are required by the LTFRB to obtain a fare matrix from their technical division.

Passengers are advised to refer to the LTFRB’s official Facebook page to see the official fare matrix for the EDSA Busway. These matrices will also be posted on bus stations along the EDSA Busway.

“Sa pamamagitan ng fare matrix, masisiguro po natin na ang sisingilin na pamasahe ng mga bus ay iyon lamang inaprubahan ng LTFRB. Pero kung sakaling may mga bus na maniningil ng labis, i-report po ninyo agad sila sa amin upang amin po itong ma-aksiyunan at mapatawan ng karampatang parusa ang sino mang lalabag,”

Teofilo Guadiz III
LTFRB Chairman

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz says that through the fare matrix, the LTFRB can ensure that passengers will be charged according to what has been approved by the LTFRB. If passengers encounter operators that overcharge, they can contact the LTFRB to report violators so that they can be sanctioned accordingly.