WITH the initial public clamor, the implementation of the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Services (PHABS) might be extended until April this year.

Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) chief Dionisio Abude said during an interview on March 29, this comes after the initial survey they had conducted with the passengers who availed of the augmented bus service from the City Government of Davao.

PHABS’ implementation, which turned one month a week ago, was in response to the increasing demand for more public transportation options during peak hours in the city, particularly in areas of Toril and Catalunan Grande.

Abude, in a previous report, said Mindanao Star, the company behind the augmented bus service, said they are income-disadvantaged with the scheduled operations.

The augmented bus service starts at 6:30 and ends at 9 a.m. for the morning phase, and resumes at 5 to 8 p.m. for the evening phase.

Abude said that Star has recommended to allow them to operate for the whole day, from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.

“Depende pa na sa recommendation nato kung ang mga tao kay musugot sa ilahang request (Our recommendation would be based from the riding public, if they are in favor to their request),” he said.

Meanwhile, Abude said that they are still collating the recommendations from the riding public which they will release soon.

Earlier, City Assistant Administrator Tristan Dwight Domingo said the special permit issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is valid until March.

However, Domingo added the extension of its augmentation would be assessed based on the volume of passengers who would be stranded.

He said they are expecting that it would slim down as most schools are closed for summer vacation.

However, netizens had voiced out for PHABS’ extension as it has benefited passengers specially those living in areas with less public utility vehicles after office hours. (Ralph Lawrence G. Llemit and Jessa Mae Reston, Usep intern)