Traffic in Metro Manila is often a test of patience. You can sit for hours in a bus, breathing in smoke and dust, without being able to do anything. For seasoned commuters, it’s a golden rule to wake up three or two hours early in order to avoid getting caught in long queues and traffic on the way to and from work or school. Otherwise, you will miss meetings and spend way less time with your family and loved ones.

For a common Filipino citizen, it is easy to feel powerless against the status quo of their daily commute. When getting a private vehicle is out of the question, how do we improve our transportation experience?

Thankfully, we have an alternative to the usual land-based transportation.

Many commuters might be unaware of the Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS). Currently, it is the only water-based transportation service in Metro Manila that cruises along the Pasig River from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Escolta in Manila, passing through the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina, and Taguig. They have a fleet composed of more than 11 boats of varying passenger capacity (from 36 to 55 passengers).

This small number of boats could end up in long queues. However, be not afraid; all ferry stations are equipped with restrooms, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and even free Wi-Fi for passengers waiting to board the ferry.

It is also worth the wait—compared to jeepneys and buses, the ferry can transport passengers from Guadalupe to Manila in less than half the travel time by land or from 45 minutes to an hour.

The best part? They are FREE.

Yes, the Pasig River Ferry System offers free rides for the whole year.

At the moment, there is no ferry service on Sundays. They operate from Monday to Saturday, daytime only.

For commuters who travel for leisure purposes, the PRFS is also a great alternative.

Leisure bikers, specifically. The river ferry ride can bring commuters and bikers close to the Intramuros area and Binondo Chinatown. However, the ferry does not allow electric vehicles or e-bikes on board as they are heavier and tend to cause discomfort to other ferry riders.

The PRFS allows you to travel with your pets as well. They have recently become pet-friendly, allowing any type of pet as long as it is kept on a carrier in order to avoid any risk to other passengers.

Due to their limited schedule and ferry stations, the PRFS may not be for everyone, especially for those who live in the southern part of Metro Manila.

Yet, as time passes, you might see more and more ferry stations and boats. There have been talks about relaunching the Manila Bay- Pasig River-Laguna Lake (MAPALLA) Ferry System.

If approved, the current route will be expanded to serve select areas in Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna, as well as new and upgraded stations to make them more accessible and comfortable.

At the moment, the PRFS is one of the solutions brought by the government to the citizens to alleviate the city’s transportation problems.

For those who are near the stations, it’s never too late to try out a new route and see if it works better for you. After all, seeing the undulating waves, flying birds, and constant forward movement of a boat is so much better than the smoke, dust, impatient horns, and barely moving bus on the urban roads of Metro Manila. (pia-ncr)