QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday that the start of the 24/7 free ride at the EDSA Bus Carousel will start on Dec. 1 instead of Dec. 15, as earlier posted.

The DOTr said the free ride at the EDSA Bus Carousel will last until Dec. 31 of this year.

It is expected that more passengers will benefit from the program, especially since mall hours are extended due to the approaching Christmas.

Earlier, free rides on route, which runs from Caloocan City to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, were only available from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.

But according to DOTr, it is possible that this will be the last phase of free rides on the EDSA Carousel because the government has no funds allocated for the program next year.

The DOTr called for the program to be re-allocated funds so that it can be extended. (PIA-NCR)