2019 • 12 • 10

As someone who lives in Cavite, I am fortunate to find a home-based job that allows me to work without having to brave the dismal traffic to and from Manila. That said, I am one of the countless people who have been hoping for promising, more comfortable alternatives to spending hours on the bus. After all, I still find myself needing to be in Metro Manila every now and then.

But here’s the good news. Very recently, two new ferry routes connecting Cavite City and Manila have been launched. These are point-to-point services and do not have any other stops in between. Both employ so-called water jeepneys.

• Cavite City-CCP and back. MB Seaborne Mercury.
• Cavite City-Lawton and back. MV Island Sabtang.

I got too excited so I immediately gave it a try. It was fast and comfortable, and will benefit those living in Cavite City and surrounding areas who want a quicker way to reach Manila. I feel like the regular fare is too high for ordinary commuters, but this is still a step in the right direction.

For now, you can ride it FREE OF CHARGE until January 9, 2020!

Anyway, I documented my trip so I could share more info with you. Here we go.

Cavite City-CCP: MB Seaborne Mercury

Vessel:

• Name of boat – MB Seaborne Mercury
• Seating capacity – 28 pax
• Air-conditioned

Travel time:

• 20 minutes

Terminals:

• Cavite City Port Terminal, at the back of the Cavite City Hall
• CCP Bay Terminal, Manila

Fare:

• Regular – P200
• Student – P160
• Senior Citizen – P143
• Child (4-11 years old) – P125
• Child (0-3 years old) – FREE

The fares above will be implemented starting January 10, 2020.
From now until January 9, you can enjoy the ride for FREE.

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Cavite City-Lawton: MV Island Sabtang

Vessel:

• Name of boat – MV Island Sabtang
• Seating capacity – 57 pax
• Air-conditioned

Terminals:

• Cavite City Port Terminal, at the back of the Cavite City Hall
• Lawton Pasig River Ferry Station (Quezon Bridge) near Liwasang Bonifacio

Fare:

• Regular – P160
• Student – P128
• Senior Citizen – P114
• Child (4-11 years old) – P80
• Child (0-3 years old) – FREE

The fares above will be implemented starting February 1, 2020.
From now until January 31, you can enjoy the ride for FREE.

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Some Tips Based on Experience

• Bring an ID. You will need to register on the manifesto and check your ID.
• Go straight to the dock. While the ferry ride is free, you can go straight to where the ferry is docked. When the FREE period is over, passengers will need to buy tickets from the booth at the terminal first before boarding.
• Always remember where the life vests are. On MV Island Sabtang, they’re on the overhead ledge. On MB Seaborne Mercury, they are under the seats.
• The ride is a bit bumpy because these boats are fast. If you’re the type who gets sea sick easily, bring a barf bag just in case.
• First come first served. Both MV Island Sabtang and MB Seaborne Mercury are small and can only accommodate 57 and 28 passengers respectively. It can get full easily if more people start using it.

In our experience, the boarding process was quick because there weren’t a lot of passengers. Not many people are aware that these services are now operational. I shared the boat with only a few others. The situation might change as more people decide to use these boats, so we highly encourage to be at the terminal early, just in case.

Overall, it was a fast, comfortable journey. It’ll be very beneficial for those living in Cavite City and surrounding areas. I can also see tourists using this service. But I feel like the fare is too high for ordinary commuters. I hope the price will improve in the future. But for me, it’s a good development. Baby steps, yes, but still a move forward.

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