Cebu Rides the Love Bus Again

Cebu commuters are getting a welcome break as the Department of Transportation (DoTr) revives the iconic Love Bus, this time, with free rides.

Starting with 11 buses running the Talisay City–Anjo World to Cebu City route, the program benefits around 2,462 passengers daily while giving steady work to 44 drivers and operators. For workers and students, the savings are significant.

Passengers said a one-way trip used to cost ₱30, or ₱60 for a round trip each day. With the Love Bus now free during peak hours, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the relief is immediate.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pushed for the revival, saying the goal was not only to bring back a nostalgic piece of transport history but also to make it better by making it free. “The program is worth it because it directly benefits the passengers,” Dizon said.

The Love Bus “Libreng Sakay” was first rolled out in Cebu last July under the Service Contracting Program, initially serving the Urgello–Parkmall route and carrying about 20,000 passengers daily. Since then, nearly 650,000 commuters have taken advantage of the free service.

Officials say this is just the beginning, with plans to expand the program across the country. For many Cebuanos, however, the return of the Love Bus already feels like a small but important victory in the battle against rising daily expenses.