The Department of Transportation (DOTr) launched two of the six additional interconnected city routes that offer free rides to healthcare workers and authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) in the Pangasinan.

“This is a program with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO). It can be availed by medical front liners, essential workers in essential industries, and other APORs. They just need to present their identification cards or certification that they are APORs upon boarding the vehicle,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said an interview Friday.

He said the six total additional routes will be comprised of 65 units of modernized public utility vehicles (PUV).

He added the national government through the DOTr, LTFRB, and LTO fund the said program under the Service Contracting Program.

“It is better for the medical workers, essential workers, and the other APORs to avail of the free rides by the PUVs because these are paid with or without passengers as long as they ply the given routes,” he said.

Tugade added the program will continue until as long as there are funds for it.

“I am excited to avail of this program since I will be able to save money for my fare while gathering news stories,” said Jerick James Pasiliao, media practitioner in Pangasinan, in a separate interview. (PNA)