The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has rolled out a free ride program for commuters affected by a nationwide transport strike, which began on Thursday, March 26, and is set to continue until Friday, March 27.

In a statement, the agency said the government vehicles deployed for the “Libreng Sakay” program include buses from the Office of the President, DOTr, Department of Energy (DOE), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP).

These vehicles will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the two-day period.

According to the DOTr, the free rides will cover several key routes in Metro Manila, including Philcoa to Cubao, Welcome Rotonda to Cubao, Lawton to Welcome Rotonda, Lawton to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), Nagtahan to Cubao, and Commonwealth to Fairview.

The agency added that the buses are intended to assist commuters who may be stranded due to the suspension of operations by participating transport groups.

The transport strike was launched by various groups to protest the continued increase in fuel prices and the suspension of a planned fare hike originally scheduled to take effect on March 19, which was deferred following an order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.