THE Pasig River Ferry Service has provided service to more than 128,000 persons from January to July this year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said yesterday.
Data provided by the agency showed that 128,771 took the ferry service during that period.
February had the highest ridership with 23,023, followed by 22,568 in January and 20,688 last March.
For April, the MMDA said 17,329 took the ferry, 17,021 in March, 12,705 in June and 16,437 in July.
The agency has yet to release the data for August.
“Libre pa rin ang pamasahe sa ferry service (The ferry service still offers free ridership to commuters),” MMDA chief Romando Artes said.
MMDA data showed that 170,902 passengers rode the ferry service in 2022 and 254,333 in 2023.
The MMDA operates nine ferry boats on the Pasig River servicing 13 stations in the cities of Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong and Manila, namely, Pinagbuhatan, Kalawaan, San Joaquin, Guadalupe, Hulo, Lambingan, Sta.Ana, PUP, Quinta, Lawton and Escolta.
Artes earlier said additional ferry boats would be procured and more stations to be built this year as part of the overall Pasig River Urban Development Project of the government.
Artes said also part of the project is the expansion of the ferry service to Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay.
The MMDA had inked an agreement with the Philippine Coast Guard to enhance the ferry service and revitalize the Pasig River.
Under the agreement, the MMDA will handle all administrative and office matters of the ferry service. It will also utilize its rescue boats for disaster-related activities under its public safety mandate for Metro Manila commuters.
The PCG will provide personnel to man the ferry terminals and its boats to ensure maritime safety and security for the commuters.
