President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked his 68th birthday on Saturday by unveiling a modern take on the iconic Love Bus, offering free rides to commuters in Metro Manila. The launch took place at the Valenzuela Gateway Complex, with Marcos arriving aboard one of the new buses alongside First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son Joseph Simon.
The updated Love Bus is a nod to the original air-conditioned service started in the 1970s by former first lady Imelda Marcos. This new version is fully electric, equipped with ramps, spaces for wheelchairs, and seats for 20 passengers with room for 10 more standing. Operations will run daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. under the Department of Transportation and Global Electric Transport.
To ease commuting costs, all senior citizens and persons with disabilities can ride free at any time, while ordinary passengers may enjoy free rides during peak hours from 6–9 a.m. and 5–8 p.m. until September 30.
“We encourage everyone to take advantage of our new Love Bus to help reduce transportation costs, save a little, reduce traffic, and cut down on pollution since these buses are electric,” Marcos said, noting how the initiative could also shorten waiting times and lessen exposure to smoke from traditional buses.
Access to the service requires downloading the Love Bus mobile app, already available on Android and soon on iOS, according to the Presidential Communications Office.
The President also extended gratitude to the Gatchalian family for hosting the launch, citing their leadership in Valenzuela. Among those present were Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Valenzuela Rep. Kenneth Ting Gatchalian, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie Gatchalian.
