THE City Government of Davao has purchased 10 12-meter low-floor buses, set to begin operations by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, project manager of the Davao Bus Project, said the new buses are part of an interim solution to address the city's ongoing public transport challenges.
Domingo shared that Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte had instructed them to find ways to expand and formalize the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (Phabs)—a temporary measure to ease traffic congestion—amid delays in the full rollout of the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, also known as the Davao Bus Project.
“Following this directive and backed by the wealth of data and insights coming from the Phabs operation, it became evident that there is a need for additional dedicated buses for the public,” he said.
The Davao City government launched Phabs in 2019 to address the growing need for public transport, especially along underserved routes. Designed to support the existing transport system during peak hours, Phabs has served as a temporary solution to the city's traffic congestion while awaiting the full rollout of the Davao Bus Project.
According to Domingo, data gathered from Phabs operations helped determine the necessary routes and service levels for the new buses. Based on these insights, the city government allocated a budget for the procurement of the buses and the required facilities for their operation and maintenance.
A ceremonial contract signing between the city government and AutoKID Truck Solutions was held on April 21 for the acquisition of ten Yutong ZK6126HG buses. These low-floor city buses—part of the DC Bus Interim Service—feature modern amenities and accommodate around 40 seated passengers, with additional space for standing commuters.
The buses are expected to arrive by September 2025 and are scheduled to begin operations in the fourth quarter of the year.
Once operational, the DC Bus service will initially be free for all Dabawenyo commuters. RGP with reports from CIO