Cebu City proposes free night buses for BPO workers
CEBU, PHILIPPINES — The Cebu City Council wants to revive free overnight bus services for the city’s 200,000 business process outsourcing (BPO) employees who work night shifts.
Councilor Nestor Archival highlighted safety issues for workers traveling home after midnight without private transport.
In 2018, the city operated free buses from 12 am to 6 am for BPO staff along routes covering key work areas. Archival believes restoring the service could prevent the dangers employees face walking deserted streets late at night. He suggested expanding routes citywide and offering free rides for all night shift personnel.
Archival emphasized the BPO industry’s value to Cebu’s economy and jobs. Citing a report published by the Philippine Information Agency last August 7, 2023, the councilor said that Cebu has the highest number of IT-BPO workers in the Visayas region, with an estimated 200,000 full-time employees employed in different companies of the IT-BPO industry.
Real estate consultancy firm Colliers Philippines added that Metro Cebu remains one of the most attractive expansion hubs for outsourcing firms in the Philippines. The industry is also forecasted to sustain Cebu’s office space market in 2024.
Archival stated that supporting safe transit for employees sustains growth.
Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa supported the proposal and recommended extending routes to Barangay Kasambagan.
BPO workers usually work graveyard shifts to make up for the time difference for Western clients. With limited late-night transportation but many 24/7 BPOs, worker demand exists for secure overnight travel options.
