BUS operators under the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus System (Phabs) program in Davao City are set to receive a subsidy to aid losses, according to the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) on Tuesday, January 17.
CTTMO head Dionisio Abude told SunStar Davao that the subsidy was considered because bus companies reportedly lose earnings than gain income under Phabs.
Thus, some bus units opt not to travel even though they are permitted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Davao Region (LTFRB-Davao) to service passengers under Phabs.
"Dehado gyod ang mga bus operators kay lugi sila (The bus operators are losing income) Per trip nila is malugi sila og more than P2,000 so mao to nag hangyo sila sa city government na kung pwede, mag hatag og subsidy (Per trip they lose more than P2,000 that’s why they asked the city government for a subsidy)," Abude said in an interview.
The initial beneficiaries of the subsidy are 13 bus units from three bus companies namely Golden Valley Bus Line Corporation, Land Car Incorporated, and Davao Metro Shuttle.
The subsidy has not yet been distributed since documents are being finalized but Abude said the three bus companies have already committed to serving under Phabs and have been plying routes since December 20 last year.
The subsidy will amount to each liter according to the kilometer that the augmented buses will run.
“(For example), gikan ka sa Roxas Avenue to Toril, naa'y 16.8 kilometers, so times two kung pila ang per liter ang mahatag (there is 16.8 kilometers from Roxas avenue to Toril so we will double how much is per liter)," Abude explained.
In addition, the CTTMO will deploy inspectors who will closely monitor the bus companies by accomplishing a form that states the route, number of passengers, and time and area of travel to be signed by the drivers and bus conductors.
"On the ground siya so makabalo na ta nga naa gyod nag monitor, makabalo na ta kung pila ka bus ang nag byahe sumala sa atong gikasabutan (through on the ground monitoring, we will know how many buses traveled according to the discussed agreement)," Abude said.
The total amount for the subsidy program is not yet determined but the memorandum of agreement is expected to be signed soon by concerned agencies including, CTTMO, LTFRB-Davao, and the City Mayor’s Office so the subsidy can officially be distributed.
With the subsidy in place, Abude said the bus companies under Phabs can hopefully become more motivated to serve the commuting public. ICM