DESPITE the summer vacation, this did not lessen the volume of passengers riding at the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (Phabs) buses initiated by the Davao City government, according to City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) chief Dionisio Abude.
Abude said influx of passengers riding Phabs is consistent after almost three months since it was augmented.
“Wala nakaapekto ang kamingaw sa summer class sa volume sa pasahero. Halos didtoa na gani sila musakay (The summer class did not affect the volume of passengers. Almost all would prefer riding the Phabs),” he said.
He also said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has not issued any stoppage order on its operation.
The operation of Phabs was issued early February to accommodate the lack of public utility vehicles (PUVs) operating in areas of Toril and Catalunan Grande.
Residents in the area had been positive with the augmented bus. Some even mistaken its operation as the city’s High Priority Bus System (HPBS), a city project that aims to modernize the transportation system and address the growing need for mass transit system to solve traffic congestion.
However, city officials already clarified that Phabs is not a pilot testing to HPBS.
During the early operations of Phabs, CTTMO also conducted a survey with passengers.
Abude said passengers were pleased with the bus system, majority said they are willing to pay additional fare due to its convenience.
He also said passengers are in favor of the Phabs operating from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. and will have a bus stop between 400 meters.
However, he said additional routes especially for Mintal and Panacan are still currently not feasible.
“Gina-address pa sa LTFRB tong request (sa Mindanao Star Bus Transport, Inc.) na kung pwede i-extend ila operation, tas kung pwede iextend ang normal regular fare ug dungag bus stop (LTFRB is still addressing the request for additional time operation, fare increase and additional bus stop),” Abude said. (RGL)