MARCH 3, 2026 — Metro Manila is about to get a taste of something fresh, modern, and — let’s be honest — long overdue. Starting late April or early May, the Electric Love Bus Program will roll out free rides across key business and lifestyle hubs, thanks to a partnership between the MMDA and Global Electric Transport Philippines (GET Philippines).

Ten fully electric buses, each carrying up to 30 passengers, will run daily from 6 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. The routes are designed to connect malls, offices, and residential areas along the C5 corridor:

• Eastbound: Robinsons Galleria, Estancia Mall, MMDA, Arcovia, Opus Mall, Arcovia Mall, Eastwood City
• Westbound: Eastwood City, C5–Eastwood Footbridge, C5–Green Meadows Footbridge, C5–Green Meadows Gate, Tiendesitas, C5–Julia Vargas, MMDA, Estancia Mall, Robinsons Galleria

MMDA Chair Romando Artes said, “Through this partnership, we are introducing fully electric buses that are cleaner, quieter, and more modern. These buses will help reduce pollution, ease congestion along key routes, and provide a more comfortable riding experience for passengers.”

GET Philippines President Sigfrido Tinga added, “We will make public transport palatable, enjoyable, safe, and environmentally friendly for everyone.”

And yes, corporate sponsors are in on it too. 

Robinsons Land Corporation CEO Mybelle Aragon-Gobio explained, “By linking Robinsons Galleria, Bridgetowne, and the other nearby business districts along the C5 corridor, we are helping strengthen the connections that already exist within this vibrant economic zone.”

Now, free rides aren’t just about saving a few pesos. They’re also about shifting the way we think of public transport — less smoke, less noise, more dignity in commuting. Imagine Metro Manila with fewer jeepneys coughing out black fumes, fewer private cars clogging C5, and more people actually enjoying the ride.

The Love Bus is more than a throwback name from the ’70s — it’s a glimpse of what our cities could look like if we finally embraced cleaner, smarter mobility.

So, are we ready to ditch our cars for a cleaner, cooler ride on the Love Bus, or will this end up as just another bright idea stuck in traffic?

(Image: MMDA)