GREEN bus passengers will be ferried for free around the City.
Designated stops for the newly launched solar bus are Igorot Park – Harrison Road – BCNHS - BGH Rotunda – Kisad Road – Children’s Park/ Athletic Bowl – Harisson Road – Magsaysay Avenue – Bonifacio Road – SLU Rotunda.
The route is designed to go in and around Baguio’s central business district with designated pick-up and drop-off points.
“We are not here to replace or compete with existing public transport systems. The Green Bus will be operating for free because we'd like to inspire people to switch to green technology and start using solar energy to power their homes, businesses, and vehicles,” Glad to be Green CEO Gladys Vergara said.
The first solar powered bus is a project by Glad to be Green (G2BG) in partnership with Star 8 Philippines, providing the vehicles and Benguet Electric Cooperative, providing the driver, parking charging area and maintenance of the vehicle.
The Project is G2BG’s largest project in terms of scale and scope and is piloted in this mountain resort.
“If anything, we are here to offer a viable alternative that creates tangible value for the community,” Vergara added.
During the launch, G2BG officials led by Vergara, and Star 8 Solar president and CEO Jacob Maimon discussed preliminary plans on becoming more energy efficient and turning solar power sources.
Maimon offered his expertise and his company's technology and offered easy-to-pay financing schemes for public utility vehicle operators in Baguio should they decide to exchange their diesel and gas transporters to solar or electric trikes or jeepneys.
"I can offer as low as USD$5.00 amortization for our vehicles,” added Maimom.
The Green Bus is a four-wheeled, 14-seater urban transporter with mounted solar panels that charges as it runs making use of the sun’s power.
Top speed for the bus is 50 kilometers per hour and could cover 120 kilometers before requiring a recharge, does not need gas, makes no noise, and emits no pollution.