New Pasig River Ferry System with new stations begins operations end of 2018
The new Pasig River Ferry System, which will begin operations in December 2018, aims to have 29 stations and 24 boats servicing 76,000 commuters per day or 19,836,000 per year—not yet including passenger volumes for weekend schedules, tours, or express routes. The new stations will be established along the river in the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, Taguig, Pasig, and Marikina.
The ferry system is envisioned to be an accessible, comfortable, and reliable water transport service that will offer the public mobility and connectivity through a pleasant commuting experience on the historic Pasig River. Aside from public transport, the ferry service will also be used for disaster response and tourism purposes.
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At present, the Pasig River Ferry Service which is run by the MMDA has 12 stations: three stations are in Pasig City—Pinagbuhatan in Eusebio Avenue, San Joaquin on San Bernardo Street, and Maybunga on Dr. Sixto Avenue; two in Makati City—Guadalupe on J.P. Rizal Extension, and Valenzuela on A. Bonifacio Street; one in Mandaluyong—Hulo Station on Coronado Street; six in Manila—Lambingan on Bautista Street in Sta. Ana, Sta. Ana on Pedro Gil Street, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Mabini Campus in Sta. Mesa, Lawton, Escolta on Muelle dela Industria, and Plaza Mexico in Intramuros.
All of these ferry stations are operational except for PUP Sta. Mesa Ferry Station, scheduled for repair, and Sta. Ana Ferry Station, currently undergoing repair.
Aside from the ferry service, the Technical Working Group also proposes improved connectivity to the ferry stations through additional pathways such as bridges, linear parks and esplanades leading to the ferry stations. The addition of the bridges, parks and esplanades will also serve as a network of open spaces that will provide Metro Manila’s dense urban population with a “breathing space” as well as an evacuation area during times of calamity.
The revival of the Pasig River Ferry Service is expected to affect the Pasig River system and its surrounding communities, spurring economic activity, renewing interest and citizens’ sense of responsibility towards the river, and transforming this historic place into a multi-functional open space network and a life-support system for urban communities.
In line with this, over 30 government agency heads and representatives joined the Pasig River Ferry Inspection led by Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) last Wednesday, April 4. The inspection, which begins at the Guadalupe Ferry Station in Makati and ends at the Plaza Mexico Ferry Station in Manila, aims to orient the Pasig River Ferry Convergence Program Technical Working Group about the components of the Pasig River Ferry System, as well as other ongoing programs and projects for the Pasig River.
The Technical Working Group for the Pasig River Convergence Program
Department of Transportation (DOTr) with participation from attached agencies including Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as lead agency.
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