AT LEAST four buses were deployed on Tuesday, August 14, for the Libreng Sakay sa Kadayawan which will run until August 28 to provide convenient transportation to Kadayawan Festival revelers.

During the send-off of the four buses at San Pedro Street, Assistant City Administrator for Administration Lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo clarified that this is not part of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) that the city is planning to implement.

Vallacar Transit Incorporated, through the Island City Express, as part of their partnership, helped the city provide convenience for the Dabawenyos and visitors alike through providing free bus rides.

“We tried to talk to them nga kung pwede makaprovide sila ug bus nga medyo dool sa atong mga plano sa city nga magbutang ug mga buses. Luckily, naa silay mga available nga units so mao ni ilahang gi-offer sa atoa for Kadayawan (We asked them if they could provide buses in strategic areas in the city and they offered us their available units),” he said.

The 61-seater buses could load up to 70 passengers as some could stand. It is equipped with Close Circuit Television (CCTV), Global Positioning System (GPS) to monitor the location of the bus, monitors for entertainment, Wifi access, and air-conditioning, offering a more comfortable transportation experience for the riders.

Although there is a similarity in terms of the design, however, Domingo said that the buses that the city will acquire soon will be more Persons with Disabilities (PWD)-friendly with more advanced features such as the electronic fare system where passengers would pay their bus fare using a card.

Starting today, the free bus service will start at 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.. The bus stops are at SM Lanang, Abreeza Mall, Victoria Plaza, Gaisano Mall, Magsaysay Park, Ateneo Roxas, People's Park, City Hall (Back), John Paul II College of Davao and SM City Davao.

The routes may change due to road closure for Kadayawan major events on on August 18 and 19.

Davao City Traffic and Transport Management Office head Dionisio Abude said that two police officers and a traffic enforcer will man each bus to ensure the safety of the riding public while the driver and conductor will be provided by the sponsored company.