A new ferry service that will link Manila and Bataan will have a trial run starting July 14, 2023, according to the operator 1Bataan Integrated Transport System (1BITS).
The ferry service will operate from Fridays to Sundays, with one trip each way per day. The Manila terminal is located at the Esplanade Seaside Terminal (EST) in SM By The Bay, Pasay City, while the Bataan terminal is at the FAB Town Terminal (FTT) in Mariveles, Bataan.
The travel time between the two destinations is estimated at one and a half hours, which is significantly faster than the usual four to five hours by land.
The ferry service aims to provide a convenient and comfortable alternative for travelers who want to visit Bataan, a province known for its historical and natural attractions, such as the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar heritage park in Bagac, and the Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong.
The operator 1BITS said in their Facebook post that the trial run will help them assess the demand and feasibility of the ferry service, as well as gather feedback from passengers. They also said that they plan to expand the service to other days of the week and add more trips per day if the trial run is successful.
The fare for the ferry service is yet to be announced, but interested passengers can check the 1BITS website or Facebook page for updates and booking information.
1BITS is a company that operates a ferry service that connects Manila and Bataan. The ferry service was launched in 2018 and aims to provide a faster and more convenient way of traveling between the two destinations. The ferry service also offers free shuttle services to and from the terminals in Bataan. It ceased operations at the height of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. (MHIKE CIGARAL)