Water taxis soon in Davao Region

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

THE proposed long span buses and water taxis have drawn the interest of the public transportation and business sector supported by investors, said an official of Board of Investment (BOI).

"This is in support to Davao Investment Conference wherein the idea has been sold to investors wherein proposals where accumulated from interviews with commuters," said Gil M. Dureza, chief of BOI Davao.

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The discussion with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (DCCCII) along with executives of transportation companies led to the conclusion that long span buses can be fielded off to selected areas in the city.

"We will not be pushing our plans for the double decker buses because of the hanging cable lines and the many overpasses here," Dureza added.

The long span buses need to be approved by the City Council and an ordinance might be needed for the new transport service.

Meanwhile, water taxis stop over shall include the following areas: Lupon and its fishing villages, Magnaga (Mabini), Blue Waters Resort, "Lorenzo Island" fronting Maco, Davao City Sta. Ana Wharf, "Statue of David" at Queensland zoo and aqua park, Sta. Cruz Pasig project, Digos City beach resorts, Malalag Bay and resorts, Sta. Maria (Davao del Sur) and its Little Boracay Resort, and Malita and its fishing villages.

Jun Caliao, a bus operator, has already formed a company that can handle such type of operation and is interested in procuring a 13-seater unit priced at $80,000 or P1.5 billion worth of fast craft.

"This fast craft is different from the others because it can land in the sand," Dureza noted.