More than 81 million passengers have reaped the benefits of the “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) program and other services under the service-contracting program (SCP) of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the LTFRB said the third phase of the implementation of the transportation subsidy program has served 81,444,168 passengers from April 3 to May 30.

To date, the program has expanded from the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) Busway to many parts of the National Capital Region and all other regions.

“Dagdag pa rito, nagbukas din ng rutang PITX-NLET, at Cubao-NLET para sa mga mananakay na patungo at palabas ng Metro Manila mula Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, at CAR (In addition, the routes PITX-NLET and Cubao-NLET have been opened to serve passengers headed outside Metro Manila to Regions 1 [Ilocos], 2 [Cagayan Valley], 3 [Central Luzon], and Cordillera region),” the LTFRB said.

The riding public can expect more routes and more public utility vehicles (PUV) to join the SCP and its free ride program in other parts of the country.

Under the SCP, PUV drivers and operators who have joined the program can earn additional income based on how much they travel per week.

The program is meant to help the transportation sector amid the rising prices of fuel and other goods. (PNA)