The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will bring back the Love Bus, a popular program during the martial law era, to provide free rides. According to DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, it will start in Cebu City and Davao City before the end of 2025, in accordance with the order of President Marcos.
Dizon showed off the design of the new bus, which is inspired by the blue color of the original version and has the iconic heart in the center. The DOTr aims to have the buses on the road this year and gradually make it a nationwide program.
In his SONA, President Marcos announced the return of the Love Bus to provide free rides. This will be implemented first in Cebu and Davao, where there is currently a free ride program on selected routes.
According to a 2021 study, the Love Bus was launched in the 1970s by the Metropolitan Manila Transit Corp. (MMTC) as the first air-conditioned bus in Metro Manila. It became a symbol of public transport in the late 70s to early 80s before declining due to rapid fleet expansion and rising operating costs.
