Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin

 

The Davao City Interim Bus Service was officially launched on December 5, offering free rides to ease the increasing demand for public transportation during peak hours. Ten modern buses will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on northbound and southbound routes. This initiative aims to alleviate the public transport shortage, according to City Administrator Tristan Dwight Domingo.

 

Preparations for the bus service launch included a successful dry run two days prior. The Davao City buses are designed to complement the existing Peak Hours Augmentation Bus System and Public Utility Jeepneys. With a total of 124 designated bus stops, the buses' main staging point is located at Roxas Avenue, providing service to areas like Mintal, Panacan, and Toril.

 

Currently, the bus service cannot reach areas like Lasang, Calinan, and Mandug due to the limited number of buses. Domingo stated that a fleet of 800 to 1,000 buses would be necessary to serve the entire city's farthest communities. The initial routes were selected based on extensive data collected during the planning phase.

 

Bus driver Lloyd Sumbo commented that the service is faster compared to jeepneys, highlighting the efficiency of designated stops as opposed to frequent stops. A trip from Panacan to Roxas Avenue now takes less than an hour with the new buses, compared to the longer journey time on jeepneys. The 12-meter buses, equipped with intelligent bus fleet systems, can accommodate up to 90 passengers, including allocated seats for Persons with Disability, senior citizens, and pregnant women, reported Manila Bulletin.

 

Key Takeaways

• The Davao City Interim Bus Service launched with 10 buses to ease morning and evening rush hour congestion.
• The buses are complementary to existing services and have designated stops to ensure efficient travel.
• Expansion to more distant areas requires a substantial increase in the fleet size.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin 2025-12-05

 

 

 

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