Mandaue City Government Announces Free Student Transportation Initiative
The Mandaue City Government is preparing to launch a complimentary transportation program specifically designed for students during the first week of February. Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano made this announcement following a generous donation from the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), which provided two air-conditioned vans to support the initiative.
Program Details and Route Finalization
According to Mayor Ouano, the city has already completed the planning phase by finalizing the routes that will be utilized for this program. The primary objective is to alleviate the daily commuting challenges faced by students, especially those residing and studying within the central districts of Mandaue City. The two vans donated by MCCI will be deployed on two carefully selected routes, chosen from an initial proposal of six routes developed by the city’s transport planning team.
“The vans were donated to us by MCCI. These are two air-conditioned units, and we have already finalized which routes they will serve,” Ouano stated. “Our team presented six possible routes, but because we currently have limited vehicles, we decided to operate only two routes for now.”
Route Structure and Operational Schedule
The selected routes will traverse the middle areas of Mandaue City, with the Mandaue City Hall designated as the main starting point. Along these routes, the city plans to establish approximately six designated stop points where passengers can conveniently board and disembark. To ensure the service aligns with academic schedules, the City Government has prepared a timetable that corresponds with school hours.
The vans will operate during peak periods, including morning arrivals, midday breaks, and afternoon dismissals. “There is already a schedule in place, especially during school entry and dismissal, and also in the afternoon, around 5 to 7 p.m.,” he explained. “The service will start in the morning, return to City Hall, then resume again at noon, because some students have up to three shifts in a day.”
Target Beneficiaries and Future Expansion
The program, locally known as “libreng sakay,” will primarily cater to students, but their guardians will also be permitted to ride for free. “Our target is that by the first week of February, we can already start the free ride program for students, and of course, their guardians will be included as well,” Ouano emphasized. “We are not excluding anyone, but our priority is really the students.”
Mayor Ouano highlighted that this initiative is part of the City Government’s broader efforts to support students and assist families in reducing transportation expenses. While the initial launch is constrained by the limited number of available vehicles, he expressed optimism about potential future expansion if additional resources become accessible. For the present, the city will closely monitor the program’s implementation to guarantee smooth operation and effective service delivery to its intended beneficiaries.
“This is a starting point,” Ouano remarked. “What is important is that we are able to help our students and make their daily commute safer and more convenient.”
