ADDITIONAL routes for the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus System (Phabs) are not currently possible, according to the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO).
CTTMO chief Dionisio Abude said that although they recommended for additional bus routes particularly in the areas of Mintal, Buhangin, Catalunan Pequeño, and Cabantian, it has yet to undergo approval from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
"Di man ta basta-basta makadeploy. Naa man gu'y requirement si LTFRB na need ma-comply sa bus company (We cannot just deploy additional routes. The bus company has to comply with the prescribed requirements imposed by the LTFRB)," Abude told Sunstar Davao.
He said Mindanao Star, the bus company tapped for the augmented bus system, has yet to get franchise approval from LTFRB.
Although Abude said they had been conducting survey from the mentioned areas after receiving complaints through social media posts that they are being deprived from the bus service despite experiencing the same situation as those from Toril and Catalunan Grande, where the current routes of the Phabs are being deployed.
He also said the current seven augmented buses are also not enough to cater to the passengers.
"We already requested 10 or 12 additional city buses from Mindanao Star. But the problem is, until now wala pa gihapon ni siya na-ship gikan Bacolod (it hasn't been shipped from Bacolod)," Abude said.
He added that the bus company also has internal problems that may be the cause of failing to provide the requested additional buses.
Abude also said in case Mindanao Star cannot provide additional city buses, he said CTTMO will recommend to the LTFRB to the bus company a special permit to use provincial buses instead.
PHABS encounters problems
Abude admitted they are encountering different problems with Phabs, especially since it was extended into a 24-hour operation.
He said one bus per route is operating at 10 p.m. onwards because there are less passengers during this time.
He also said Phabs is unable to meet the 45-minute travel interval because of the lack of buses.
"Kung natuman lang gyud tong requested 12 buses (six for Catalunan Grande, six for Toril), na-address unta nato ning kadaghanon sa mga estranded nga mga pasahero (If only the requested 12 buses were granted, we would have been able to address the continuous increase of stranded passengers)," Abude said.
He also said bus drivers who do not follow the designated bus stop drop-offs added to the delays of the trip, adding that they will not tolerate the driver's actions. He, however, said they will give special consideration during night time due to the volume of traffic, particularly in Ulas.
Abude also said the current construction of the Ulas bridge also delays the Phabs' trip.