The Pasig River Ferry Service, is the only water-based transportation in Metro
Manila,
Philippines that
cruises
the
Pasig
River
from
Pinagbuhatan
in
Pasig to Intramuros in the City of Manila. The system is owned and operated by a
private company, SCC Nautical Transport Services Incorporated. Although commonly
referred to as a ferry, it is more akin to a water bus.
In February 2011, the service was suspended, but was reopened on April 28,
2014.
OBJECTIVES
To provide a reliable, safe, secure, adequate, and efficient transport system on
the Pasig River, Marikina River, Laguna de Ba-e and Manila Bay areas;
To complement the existing transport system in Metro-Manila by providing an
alternative mode of transport to passengers from various points initially along the
Pasig River, Marikina River and eventually into Laguna de Ba-e and Manila Bay;
To improve passenger and cargo mobility, and contribute to traffic reduction
efforts in Metro-Manila and its neighboring provinces;
To enhance the image and status of the Pasig River as an important artery in
Metro-Manilas growing inter-modal transport system; and
To serve as a model of an efficient inland waterway transport system.
HISTORY
20
Pollution in the Pasig River contributed to the decline in ferry transport in the river
in the 1960s. The present Pasig River Ferry Service superseded the two short-lived
ferry projects in the entire Pasig River in the 1990s.
Magsaysay Lines
The Magsaysay Lines started operation during the year 1990 and had stations
from Guadalupe in then-municipality of Makati down to Escolta Street in Manila (a total
of 15 kilometers), using river-side sheds as stations. The service however lasted only
for a year and closed in 1991. Its short-lived operation was beset by problems such as
the proliferation of informal settlers along the route, water lilies, garbage and other
debris clogging the waters (preventing the boats from traveling at normal speeds), aside
from the foul odor permeating the environs.
Starcraft Ferry
In 1996 another ferry service was launched, the Starcraft Ferry. This service's
fleet is the ancestor of the current Pasig River Ferry Service fleet since this service had
30 units of catamaran-type boats (the same type used by the current Pasig River Ferry
Service) with a seating capacity of 30 people with air-conditioning. Unlike Magsaysay
Lines, it had a smaller boat aptly name the M/V Tamaraw or the River Taxi, as during
this same year the Tamaraw FX service became very popular. It offered a seating of 12
people, also air-conditioned, and can be hired like a taxi service for travel along the
river, just like a Tamaraw FX taxi. The route stretched from Bambang in Pasig down to
Escolta in Manila (a total of 16.2 kilometers). However, like the Magsaysay Lines,
Starcraft Ferry only lasted for a year and it closed in 1997. Like the Magsaysay Lines,
21
the problems encountered during the operation were informal settlers, water lilies (since
it prevents the boats from traveling at normal speeds), foul odor and garbage disposed
on the river.
The project proponent, Eduardo Manuel, is an environmental conservationist and
a licensed SCUBA Diver, who also owns a diving school located at Santo Sepulcro
in Paco, Manila. The Pasig River Ferry Transport 2000 project was an improvement of
the earlier service provided by the Magsaysay Shipping Corporation. During the course
of the operations of the Pasig River Transport 2000, its service offered a fresh solution
to the worsening traffic problem of the metropolis, but sadly, the local government units
involved in the project fell short in its cooperation with the project proponent, which
made it difficult to effectively provide the solution to the traffic problem of the Cities in
the Metro Manila areas. During this time there was another business entity who was
also interested to offer the same service, the Maharlika Transport, backed by the
Uniwide Group of Company (Uniwide Sales, at present they are now the Puregold chain
of groceries/superstores) of the Gao family. The two companies had a media battle as
the Gao Group submitted the same project to the Philippine Marina and the DOTC.
During that same time, the two companies had a media battle which worked to
the advantage of the project as it stirred the interest of the public, and the local
government unit involved with the project. Later that same year of 1996, the media
battle was won by the PR Group of the Pasig River Ferry Transport 2000, headed by
Ms. Maria Rebecca Bacalan-Chica, an independent PR Practitioner, and was also the
VP for Operations of the Starcraft Ferry Corporation, the project was awarded to the
Starcraft Ferry Corporation, the boat manufacturer and operator of the Pasig River
22
Transport Service. Barely a year of operation the company ceased its operation due to
losses in income, as the local government units involved with the project was unable to
deliver on their commitments to make the project work.
Previous ferry service
The previous ferry service was inaugurated by President Gloria MacapagalArroyo on February 14, 2007 with five stations operating which includes Escolta, PUP,
Sta. Ana, Hulo and Guadalupe. After a year, the entire system grew from 5 stations to
14 stations.
Unlike the previous Pasig River ferry services, this ferry service uses only 10
boats. However, to compensate for it, each boat could have as many as 150 people and
had air conditioning, music, high definition televisions and toilets on board. Also, unlike
the two previous ferry services, this service has full stations with amenities such as
toilets, ticketing system, waiting seats and security guards. Also, it is the longest serving
ferry in the river, both in terms of length of the route (28 kilometers and 2 lines) and the
length of service (although the company did somewhat considered closing the ferry in
June, 2008 due to low number of passengers). It is also the only ferry service that
serves the Marikina River from Riverbanks Center in Marikina although this line is not
yet operational.
This ferry service was not without problems. In the early days of the service up to
June, 2008, the low passenger turnout nearly caused NTSI (Nautical Transport
Services, Incorporated) to go bankrupt and it even considered closing the ferry.
However, the continuing surge in the oil prices in the Philippines forced commuters to
23
use alternative modes of transportation, including the ferry. From July 2008, the number
of passengers increased 15% every week and almost all boats were full. This and other
related events made the NTSI consider purchasing more boats to increase capacity as
opposed to closing the line.
Although there were still pollution-related problems, odor and garbage problems
were not as bad as they were during the Magsaysay Lines and Starcraft Ferry days.
Through the efforts of the government, but the persistent problem of the water lilies
blocking the pathway of the boats and their infestation on the stations on the river
remained.
This service was also used by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission to
highlight the importance of the environment to the people of Manila. Lectures were
conducted to stakeholders from various companies and schools (at least four times a
month) and to the regular passengers of the ferry (at least thrice a week).
Reopening
The latest Pasig Ferry Service, operated by Nautical Transport Services
Incorporated, was reactivated on April 28, 2014 to alleviate the traffic situation in Metro
Manila in light of the infrastructure projects being constructed simultaneously. The ferry
service will be operated by Metro Manila Development Authority until a private investor
takes over.
The Ferry Network
24
The entire ferry network has 17 stations in operation and 2 lines. The first line is
the Pasig River Line which stretches from Plaza Mexico in Intramuros, Manila to
Nagpayong Station in Pasig. The second line is theMarikina River Line which serves the
Guadalupe Station in Makati up to Santa Elena Station in Marikina.
The Marikina River Line was to begin operation with the opening of the
Riverbanks Station near the recently opened SM City Marikina in Marikina. The
Marikina River Line as of 23 February 2009 is still closed and is still undergoing
vehicular planning.
Through its entire operation, the ferry service changed their trip schedules
several times. Each boat has a 30-minute, 1-hour, 2-hour and 3-hour trip intervals
depending on the time of the day. Rush hours tend to have shorter boat intervals while
off-peak hours tend to have longer boat intervals. This was done to maximize the
efficiency of each boats and to reduce over-consumption of fuel.
Current Situation
As of May 15, 2015, the Pasig River ferry service had eleven terminals:
Guadalupe (Makati City); Pinagbuhatan and San Joaquin (Pasig City); Escolta, PUP
Sta. Mesa, Plaza Mexico and Sta. Ana (Manila); Barangay Hulo (Mandaluyong);
Barangay Valenzuela (Makati), Lawton (Manila) and at the Lambingan Bridge in Sta.
Ana, Manila.
Tolentino added that the MMDA has bought five new vessels for the ferry service.
Each of the five new vessels can carry between 25 and 30 passengers on an average
speed of about 30 kilometers per hour.
25
The ferry service which currently operates 11 boats - charge passengers
between P15 and P95 depending on the distance travelled between terminals. Each
ferry can transport a maximum of 30 passengers per trip.
OFFICER IN CHARGE AT THE FERRY STATIONS
Engr. Felimon Tarrago
OIC for Pinagbuhatan Ferry
Station and San Joaquin
Ferry Station
Engr. Bonifacio Legaspi
OIC for PUP Ferry Station
MMDA Dir. Rodrigo C.
Tuason
Overall Head of Officer in
Charge for the Pasig River
Ferry Service Operations
Engr. Winston Besa
OIC for Sta. Ana Ferry
Station
Engr. Alexander
Muhammad
OIC for Escolta Ferry Station
Engr. Gil Mendoza
OIC for Plaza Mexico Station
26
PLAZA
MEXICO
FERRY
STATION
The
ferry
terminal
is
located
at
Kalye
Muelle
del
Rio,
Intramuros,
Manila. It is
near at the
Bureau
of
Immigration
and abides
to concerns
of
the
Intramuros Authority, various shipping companies and others.
ESCOLTA FERRY OPERATION
27
The ferry terminal is located at Kalye Muelle del Blanco, Nacio, Binondo, Manila.
Developments are made with the station as MMDA pursues for the revival of its
operation.
LAWTON FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is located at Arroceros, Manila.
PUP FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is located at Sta. Mesa, Manila. The Polytechnic University of
the Philippines caters the ferry station of the Pasig River Ferry Service and within the
campus.
STA. ANA FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is located at Market Rd., Pedro Gil St., Sta. Ana, Manila. It is
located at the back of Sta. Ana Public Market in the Poblacion proper of Sta. Ana
District, Manila City.
LAMBINGAN FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is located at 3016 F. Manalo St., Brgy. Earnshaw, Sta. Ana,
Manila.
VALENZUELA FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is located at Bonifacio St., Brgy. Valenzuela, Makati City.
28
HULO FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is located at Coronado Lane Cor., Pantaleon, Hulo,
Mandaluyong.
GUADALUPE FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is located at J.P. Rizal St., Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City. It is
the center of commerce upstream or downstream considered to be the premier station
and Operation Center for the Pasig River Ferry Service.
PINAGBUHATAN FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is named Pinagbuhatan Ferry Station under the jurisdiction of
Brgy. Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City but currently contested by Brgy. Napindan of Taguig
City.
SAN JOAQUIN FERRY STATION
The ferry terminal is located at A. Mendoza St., Brgy. San Joaquin, Pasig City. It
was recently inaugurated by MMDA on September 16, 2014 and currently operational.
DISTANCE
BETWEEN
TERMINAL STATIONS
STATION 1: PLAZA MEXICO
STATION 2: ESCOLTA
STATION 3: QUEZON BRIDGE
STATION 4: PUP
STATION 5: STA. ANA
STATION 6: LAMBINGAN BRIDGE
STATION 7: VALENZUELA
STATIONS (Km.)
0.31
0.48
3.81
2.84
0.92
2.16
1.10
TERMINAL STATIONS
STATION 2: ESCOLTA
STATION 3: QUEZON BRIDGE
STATION 4: PUP
STATION 5: STA. ANA
STATION 6: LAMBINGAN BRIDGE
STATION 7: VALENZUELA BRIDGE
STATION 8: HULO
29
BRIDGE
STATION 8: HULO
STATION 9: GUADALUPE
STATION 10: SAN JOAQUIN
TOTAL DISTANCE
1.57
STATION 9: GUADALUPE
3.32
STATION 10: SAN JOAQUIN
4.38
STATION 11: PINAGBUHATAN
20.89 Kms. (from Station 1 to Station 11)
The fare matrix of Pasig River Ferry Service is presented on the next page.
30
Operations
2014 FERRY OPERATIONS SUMMARY
Number of Operating Days
181 days
Number of Operating Stations
7 ferry stations
Average Operating Vessels
6 ferry boats
Average Passengers per Day
307 pax
Total Public Served (Manifest)
68,194 pax
Total Tickets Sold
52,721 pax
Total Regular Passengers
43,073 pax
Total Student Passengers
7,110 pax
Total Senior Citizen Passengers
2,538 pax
Total Cash Sales
P 2,321,890.50
April 28-May 15, 2014 test run of ferry operation and free ride only
May 16, 2014 start of ferry operation with fare
DECEMBER 2014
FERRY
SERVICE
STATION
MANIFE
ST
PINAGBUHAT
AN
SAN JOAQUIN
STUDEN
T
74
SENIOR
1,293
REGULA
R
1,506
TICKET
SOLD
45
1,625
111
71616
1,199
912
118
59
1,089
110
GUADALUPE
4,581
3,805
336
155
4,2961
285
66747.8
0
197685
STA. ANA
1,179
963
68
48
1,079
100
30238
411
171
190
370
41
ESCOLTA
3,758
3,366
78
174
3,618
12475.2
0
176209
PLAZA
MEXICO
TOTAL
541
405
87
24
516
12,962
11,128
951
514
12,593
PUP
PASSENGER TICKET
FREE
RIDE
140
25
812
CASH
COLLECT
ED
23648.8
0
578619.
80
NOVEMBER 2014
FERRY
SERVICE
STATION
MANIFE
ST
PINAGBUHAT
AN
SAN JOAQUIN
GUADALUPE
PASSENGER TICKET
STUDEN
T
50
SENIOR
892
REGULA
R
912
TICKET
SOLD
FREE
RIDE
92
31
993
332
236
15
27
278
3195
2369
405
132
2906
STA. ANA
762
584
69
24
677
75
16404.5
0
142298.
80
18015
PUP
593
169
338
10
517
76
16952
ESCOLTA
1956
1671
40
149
1862
92
81025
PLAZA
MEXICO
TOTAL
692
262
345
26
633
59
21514
8422
6203
1262
399
7864
855
340043.
30
54
407
CASH
COLLECT
ED
43834
OCTOBER 2014
FERRY
SERVICE
STATION
MANIFE
ST
PINAGBUHAT
AN
SAN JOAQUIN
GUADALUPE
PASSENGER TICKET
STUDEN
T
33
SENIOR
805
REGULA
R
799
TICKET
SOLD
FREE
RIDE
CASH
COLLECT
ED
35
867
89
39152
374
205
72
17
294
80
2590
1783
315
120
2218
372
14377.1
0
101980
STA. ANA
709
595
55
19
669
40
17698
PUP
460
138
210
19
367
93
11548
ESCOLTA
1464
1235
65
87
1387
77
63600
PLAZA
MEXICO
TOTAL
410
272
115
393
17
15010
6812
5027
865
303
6195
768
263365.
10
SEPTEMBER 2014
FERRY
SERVICE
STATION
MANIFE
ST
PINAGBUHAT
AN
SAN JOAQUIN
GUADALUPE
PASSENGER TICKET
STUDEN
T
18
SENIOR
482
REGULA
R
443
TICKET
SOLD
FREE
RIDE
CASH
COLLECT
ED
26
487
69
21696
101
68
82
19
2910.30
2014
1120
412
96
1628
386
73770
STA. ANA
367
294
45
11
350
17
8411
PUP
323
62
187
258
65
8150
ESCOLTA
788
672
41
52
765
23
35014
PLAZA
MEXICO
TOTAL
284
196
70
270
14
10868
4359
2855
780
205
3840
593
160819.
30
AUGUST 2014
FERRY
SERVICE
STATION
MANIFE
ST
PINAGBUHAT
AN
GUADALUPE
STUDEN
T
40
SENIOR
695
REGULA
R
512
TICKET
SOLD
24
576
213
25559
3546
1967
639
150
2756
790
122282
STA. ANA
803
606
55
17
678
125
16498
PUP
513
101
328
10
439
74
14182
1418
1085
82
60
1227
194
56385
ESCOLTA
PASSENGER TICKET
FREE
RIDE
CASH
COLLECT
ED
PLAZA
MEXICO
TOTAL
477
292
126
11
7452
4563
1270
272
429
6105
48
17138
1444
252044
JULY 2014
FERRY
SERVICE
STATION
MANIFE
ST
PINAGBUHAT
AN
GUADALUPE
PASSENGER TICKET
STUDEN
T
19
SENIOR
640
REGULA
R
619
TICKET
SOLD
FREE
RIDE
CASH
COLLECT
ED
15
653
135
28983
3488
2114
545
211
2870
618
135871
STA. ANA
591
501
46
23
570
21
14451
PUP
616
145
374
13
532
84
16140
ESCOLTA
1388
1199
62
63
1324
64
59954
PLAZA
MEXICO
TOTAL
584
382
115
10
507
77
21138
7307
4960
1161
335
6456
999
276537
JUNE 2014
FERRY
SERVICE
STATION
MANIFE
ST
PINAGBUHAT
AN
GUADALUPE
STUDEN
T
29
SENIOR
977
REGULA
R
930
TICKET
SOLD
33
992
221
44877
3699
2521
322
244
3087
612
145771
47
38
44
1198
447
144
218
16
378
69
13564
ESCOLTA
1582
1331
76
74
1481
101
68072
PLAZA
MEXICO
542
300
65
10
375
167
16884
STA. ANA
PUP
PASSENGER TICKET
FREE
RIDE
CASH
COLLECT
ED
TOTAL
7294
5264
711
382
6357
1173
290366
MAY 2014
FERRY
SERVICE
STATION
MANIFE
ST
PINAGBUHAT
AN
GUADALUPE
PASSENGER TICKET
STUDEN
T
20
SENIOR
654
REGULA
R
675
TICKET
SOLD
FREE
RIDE
CASH
COLLECT
ED
10
705
124
34430
1904
1540
15
75
1630
274
80700
PUP
198
121
60
190
7352
ESCOLTA
644
553
26
579
65
28730
PLAZA
MEXICO
TOTAL
222
184
15
207
15
8884
3622
3073
111
121
3311
486
160096
TOTAL MANIFEST
14000
12000
10000
8000
PUBLIC SERVED
6000
4000
2000
0
FREE
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
TICKET SOLD
14000
12000
12593
10000
8000
6000
7864
6357
6456
4000
3840
3311
2000
0
MAY
6195
6105
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
PASSENGERS
ESTIMATED CASH COLLECTED
700000
600000
500000
400000
CASH COLLECTED
300000
200000
100000
0
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
MONTHLY AVERAGE PASSENGER
600
500
400
PASSENGERS
300
200
100
0
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEP
TYPES OF PASSENGERS
REGULAR
13%
STUDENT
SENIOR CITIZEN
5%
82%
OCT
NOV
DEC
PASSENGER DISTRIBUTION
6%
13%
3%
23%
PINAGBUHATAN
SAN JOAQUIN
GUADALUPE
STA. ANA
PUP
ESCOLTA
PLAZA MEXICO
6%
8%
41%
Trends in the Industry
The Pasig River ferry system was reopened on April 2014 as part of the efforts of
the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to offer to commuters looking
for alternative ways of transportation.
At
least
two
private operators have
lent their boats to the
MMDA for the ferry
service which will pick
up
and
drop
off
passengers
at
four
stations
in
Manila,
Makati,
Mandaluyong
and Pasig cities.
Several
commuters expressed
satisfaction that it took
them just 28 minutes to
travel from Makati to Pasig City, a route that would normally take them between one to
two hours by land.
[This mode of transport] is really faster, Ruby Alcantara, a 53-year-old
supervisor of a firm in Guadalupe, said.
We are expecting the number of commuters to keep on growing because [its
impossible] for you to be stuck in an intersection here, Tolentino told reporters.
Riders, however, were exposed to trash floating in the riverplastic wrappers,
broken chairs, Styrofoamon top of the foul smell emanating from its murky waters.
It smells like rotting things, like a canals stinky water. I had to cover my nose all
the time, Jovy Cabilitasan, a 37-year-old Makati resident, said.
Her aunt Paneng Loreto, 68, fainted, apparently from the boat ride and the rivers
assaulting smell.
Passengers also noticed illegal settlers who had turned Guadalupe Bridge into
their shelter.
They have to clean up the river and relocate informal settlers, Alcantara said
when asked how the ferry system might be improved.
Lopez explained that the PRRC just started the cleanup of the main part of the
river after it spent the previous years clearing the 48 estuaries flowing into the 25kilometer-long body of water.
The
Metropolitan
Manila
Development
Authority
(MMDA)
on
Friday opened four more
stations for its Pasig River
Ferry Service.
MMDA Chair Francis
Tolentino
said
the
new
terminals were opened in
Barangay
(Mandaluyong),
Valenzuela
Hulo
Barangay
(Makati),
Lawton (Manila) and at the
Lambingan Bridge in Sta.
Ana, Manila.
Tolentino added that the MMDA has bought five new vessels for the ferry service.
Each of the five new vessels can carry between 25 and 30 passengers on an average
speed of about 30 kilometers per hour.
Tolentino is encouraging people to consider taking the ferry service as an
alternative mode of transportation considering the traffic jams on the major roads of
Metro Manila such as the ongoing construction of the Skyway 3 along the Osmena
Highway and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport elevated expressway.
Pipilitin po nating gumana ito (ferry service) ng maayos bilang alternatibong
sistema ng paglalakbay kita naman po natin barado yung ilang lansangan, yung
Skyway 3 ginagawa pa sa Osmena, yung NAIA elevated expressway ginagawa pa.
Sana tangkilikin po ito ng ating mga kababayan, said Tolentino.
The MMDA revived the Pasig River ferry service last April as a possible
alternative transport mode.
The Pasig River ferry service earlier had seven terminals: Guadalupe (Makati
City); Pinagbuhatan and San Joaquin (Pasig City); and Escolta, PUP Sta. Mesa, Plaza
Mexico and Sta. Ana (Manila).
The ferry service which currently operates 11 boats - charge passengers
between P30 and P95 depending on the distance travelled between terminals. Each
ferry can transport a maximum of 30 passengers per trip.
The MMDA on
July 15, 2015 launched
the first of its five new
fiberglass boats to be
used in its ferry service
on the Pasig River.
The first of the
five fiberglass ferries
which can each carry
up to maximum of 35
passengers
was
launched at the Escolta
ferry terminal.
Mas modern ito. From Pasig to Escolta ay 30 minutes, at 12 knots. 'Yung mga
luma kasi 5 knots lang kasi may kabagalan. Moderno ito kasi fiber glass na eh, said
MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino.
Tolentino said the boats cost P3 million each and takes at least one month to
build.
The MMDA last March 2015 held a bidding for the construction and delivery of
the five new ferries. According to its published bid bulletin, each ferry should have a 220
horsepower stern drive diesel engine and a 280-liter permanent fuel tank. The winning
bidder, said the MMDA, was Viking Corp.
The MMDA has been encouraging people to consider taking the ferry service as
an alternative mode of transportation considering the traffic jams on the major roads of
Metro Manila such as the ongoing construction of the Skyway 3 along the Osmena
Highway and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) elevated expressway.
Pipilitin po nating gumana ito (ferry service) ng maayos bilang alternatibong
sistema ng paglalakbay. Kita naman po natin barado yung ilang lansangan, 'yung
Skyway 3 ginagawa pa sa Osmena, 'yung NAIA elevated expressway ginagawa pa.
Sana tangkilikin po ito ng ating mga kababayan, said Tolentino.
The MMDA revived the Pasig River ferry service last April as a possible
alternative transport mode.
The Pasig River ferry service earlier had seven terminals: Guadalupe (Makati
City); Pinagbuhatan and San Joaquin (Pasig City); and Escolta, PUP Sta. Mesa, Plaza
Mexico and Sta. Ana (Manila).
The ferry service which currently operates 11 boats - charge passengers
between P30 and P95 depending on the distance travelled between terminals. Each
ferry can transport a maximum of 30 passengers per trip.
References
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[Link]
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