Take A Tour Of Manila And Cavite: These Two Ferry Services Are Free Until January 2020!

Traffic is one of the biggest issues faced by our country. Aside from making it hard to get to work or school on time, traffic can also make traveling to weekend family trips more difficult and stressful.

If you want to avoid the hassle of waiting in traffic just to get to your weekend destination, try these two ferry services which were launched earlier this week.

Pasig River Ferry Service

Rappler reports that the Pasig River Ferry Service was relaunched on Monday, December 9, and commuters can travel via the ferry for free until January 31, 2020!

Danilo Lim, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said in a statement that the free ferry rides can invite more commuters to choose this alternative mode of transport instead of taking public utility vehicles.

“Expect better services with additional safe and speedy boats, rehabilitated ferry stations and additional personnel,” he said.

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According to the Rappler report, the Pasig City local government lent two ferry boats which were added to the ferry service’s existing fleet. The two boats are called M/B Mutya ng Pasig 1 and M/B Mutya ng Pasig 2. Each can carry 57 passengers.

The ferry service now has a total of seven boats. Two can accommodate 57 passengers each, three can accommodate 36 passengers each, and two can carry 16 passengers each.

Ferry stations are fully equipped with restrooms, CCTV cameras, and free Wi-Fi access. The stations are located in four cities: Pasig (Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin, and Maybunga); Makati (Guadalupe and Valenzuela); Mandaluyong (Hulo); and Manila (Lambingan, Sta. Ana, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Lawton, and Escolta).

The MMDA is planning to build more ferry stations in Quinta Market in Manila, Circuit Market in Makati, and Kalawaan in Pasig.

Attractions you can visit

There are a number of attractions and sights near the Pasig River Ferry Service stations. These include Intramuros (near the Plaza de Mexico station), Binondo or Chinatown (near the Escolta Street station), and Museo ni Apolinario Mabini (near the PUP station).

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Cavite-Metro Manila Ferry Service

If you live in the South, good news: On Sunday, December 8, 2019, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) launched the Cavite-Metro Manila Ferry Service, which will also be offering ferry services for free until January 31, 2020!

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said that this new ferry service is expected to cut three- to four-hour travels down to between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on the drop-off point you’re going to.

“Makakatulong din ito para maibsan ‘yung traffic congestion sa EDSA,” said Tugade, as Rappler reports.

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The Cavite-Metro Manila Ferry Service currently has two boats provided by Seaborne Shipping Company Inc. and Shogun Ships Co. Inc.

MV Island Sabtang can accommodate 57 passengers while MV Seaborne Mercury can accommodate 27 passengers. Secretary Tugade is negotiating to lower the fares for the ferry services, but until January 31, commuters can take the services for free.

Upon the launch of this ferry service, the two routes that were first to be opened were Cavite City Hall to Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Port and Cavite City Hall to Lawton Ferry Terminal. Secretary Tugade also announced that more routes are being considered, namely Sangley, Tanza, and Naic to SM Mall of Asia.

Attractions you can visit

There are also various sights located near to the terminals of the Cavite-Metro Manila Ferry Service, including the CCP, Corregidor Island Lighthouse (Cavite City), Cafe Antix (Cavite City), and Liwasang Bonifacio, formerly known as Plaza Lawton (Lawton).

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