Commuters along the busy C5 corridor can soon expect free rides as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) prepares to roll out 10 fully electric “Love Bus” units in the last week of April or the first week of May. The initiative is being carried out through a partnership with Global Electric Transport Philippines (GET Philippines), marking another step toward greener and more affordable public transport in Metro Manila.
Routes, Schedule, and Coverage
The 30-passenger buses will operate between Robinsons Galleria and Eastwood City, passing through major commercial destinations such as Estancia Mall, Arcovia, Tiendesitas, Opus Mall, and the MMDA head office in Pasig. Daily trips are expected to run from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on passenger demand.
The routes approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board include eastbound trips from Robinsons Galleria to Eastwood City via Estancia Mall, MMDA, Arcovia, and Opus Mall. Westbound journeys will travel from Eastwood City back to Robinsons Galleria, with stops at C5–Eastwood Footbridge, C5–Green Meadows Footbridge, C5–Green Meadows Gate, Tiendesitas, C5–Julia Vargas, MMDA, and Estancia Mall.
Each of the 10 buses is projected to complete an average of five to six trips daily. “The buses will just traverse in a loop. Maybe we can have an average of about five to six trips per bus per day,” Artes said in Filipino, outlining the expected operations. The agency is also considering expanding the Love Bus program to other local government units in Metro Manila once the C5 rollout stabilizes.
Partnership and Sustainability Efforts
The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed at the MMDA head office in Pasig City by MMDA Chairman Don Artes and GET Philippines President Sigfrido Tinga. Under the deal, the MMDA will supervise route planning, enforcement assistance, infrastructure coordination, and alignment with public service objectives, while GET Philippines will manage operations and maintenance of the electric fleet.
Highlighting the benefits of the program, Artes said the move aims to ease the financial burden of commuters while addressing environmental concerns in high-traffic business districts along C5. “Through this partnership, we are introducing fully electric buses that are cleaner, quieter and more modern. These buses will help reduce pollution, ease congestion along key routes, and provide a more comfortable riding experience for passengers,” Artes said.
He also noted that support from corporate sponsors will help sustain and potentially expand the free transport initiative across the National Capital Region. Among the private sector partners backing the program are Robinsons Land Corp., Megaworld Corp., Ortigas Land, and International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialist Inc..
“The Love Buses will arrive in mid-April. So maybe we can launch them this last week of April or first week of May,” Artes said in a mix of Filipino and English. “And officially it will have regular travel operations,” he added.
Beyond nostalgia, the modern electric Love Buses represent a practical response to rising commuting costs and worsening traffic in Metro Manila. For the average Filipino worker and student navigating daily travel along C5, the program offers not just free transportation but also a cleaner, more comfortable alternative, helping stretch household budgets while contributing to a more sustainable urban environment.
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