Since the loosening of quarantine restrictions to Level 2 in Metro Manila, traffic in the city has almost approached pre-pandemic levels—and is only expected to get even heavier this holiday season.
In case you’d like to avoid the holiday rush this month, consider this: the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that they are offering free rides aboard the Pasig River ferry for the month of December.
The Pasig River ferry has 12 stations that pass through the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, and Manila. The ferry follows upstream and downstream routes between Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City and Escolta in Manila.
“Sabi nila, masarap ang libre. Kaya sa Pasig River Ferry Service, masarap na ang biyahe dahil sa walang traffic, libre pa ang pamasahe! Magtungo na sa anumang istasyon ng Pasig River Ferry Service na malapit sa inyo at ikaw ay isasakay nang libre,” the MMDA Pasig River Ferry Service wrote on Facebook.
(They say the good things in life are free. With the Pasig River Ferry Service, you can enjoy a good ride that is traffic-free and free of charge! Head to any station of the Pasig River Ferry Service that is near you and ride the ferry for free.)
The MMDA also encouraged the public to consider the ferry service as a viable transportation alternative to avoid the holiday traffic.
“Umiwas sa bigat ng trapik ngayong Kapaskuhan. I-enjoy ang tanawin habang binabaybay ang Ilog Pasig patungo sa iyong destinasyon sa Metro Manila.” (Avoid the heavy traffic this Christmas season. Enjoy the sights while cruising along the Pasig River while heading to your destination within Metro Manila.)
If it was good enough for Jose Rizal’s characters in El Filibusterismo, then it’s probably good enough for us, too.
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