The municipal government of Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte will provide free rides for its students in this city in time for the opening of classes on June 16.

Municipal budget officer Patrick John Ratuita confirmed this in a media interview on Tuesday, saying a recently purchased modern air-conditioned bus will be used.

The municipal school bus has a seating capacity of 55 and is equipped with charging units.

“Being the longest municipality in the province, our high school and college students going to Laoag will no longer be hard up to commute every day as the local government of Pasuquin has a bus to transport them to school for free,” Ratuita said.

Laoag is approximately 22 kilometers or about 32 minutes away from Pasuquin.

Ratuita said the free ride will be implemented to help and encourage the youth to go to school, since transportation costs can affect a student’s attendance.

As of this posting, the schedule of the free ride service is still being finalized.

The free ride will be on a first-come, first-served basis to students of the municipality.

Depending on the turnout, Ratuita said there are plans to purchase an additional bus to cater to daily commuters or rent it out as a revenue source for the municipality. (PNA)