The Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) has introduced complimentary WiFi for passengers, aiming to boost ridership through enhanced connectivity. The initiative was launched on Thursday at the San Joaquin Ferry Station in Pasig City, led by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Romando Artes, alongside Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and Pasig Representative Roman Romulo.
Service Details and Expansion Plans
The free WiFi is part of the DICT's Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP). Each ferry station and boat can deliver maximum speeds of 40 to 60 Mbps, though during rush hours, speeds may range from 10 to 20 Mbps. Currently, 12 stations—Lambingan, PUP, Sta. Ana, Maybunga, Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin, Hulo, Valenzuela, Kalawaan, Guadalupe, Quinta, and Escolta—offer the service, along with three ferry boats: Mutya 1, Mutya 2, and Vicente. Plans are underway to extend coverage to more stations and vessels.
Improving Service Quality
Artes emphasized the MMDA's commitment to elevating service standards, stating, "Our focus now shifts toward the rigorous improvement of service quality, ensuring that every passenger enjoys a seamless and reliable connection from the moment they enter the terminal until they disembark." He also noted that additional electric ferry boats and stations will be deployed to further enhance the PRFS.
Aguda underscored the role of connectivity in transportation, saying, "Today, we can’t just travel; we must be connected while traveling. The FPIAP at the PRFS is a service that will provide convenience to the community." The WiFi initiative aligns with the broader "Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli" project under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which aims to restore and beautify the Pasig River.
