Free ride routes on March 26 amid transport strikes

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March 26, 2026 | 10:59am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) deployed free rides on Thursday, March 26 amid nationwide transport strikes due to soaring fuel prices driven by the United States-Israel’s war on Iran. 

Around 20 transport groups are conducting a two-day nationwide strike from March 26 to March 27. Prior to this, commuters across the metro have already felt the effects of fewer public utility vehicles on the road, with many drivers and operators no longer being able to ply routes as often due to high gas prices. 

The DOTr said free rides will be deployed along the following routes: 

• Philcoa-Cubao
• Welcome Rotonda-Cubao
• Lawton-Welcome Rotonda
• Lawton-PITX
• Nagtahan-Cubao
• Commonwealth-Fairview

The rides will be available from 7 a.m., to 8 p.m., with vehicles from the Office of the President, DOTr, the Department of Energy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police being used. 

Fuel products have surged past the triple digits as tensions in the Middle East continue. The country’s economic chiefs have warned of faster inflation and a weakened gross domestic product should fuel products remain high.