The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to launch pure battery electric buses (PBEB) in the freeport.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the PBEB project will be making the Freeport the first carbon-neutral economic zone in the Philippines, under the “Race to Carbon Neutrality” program.
He added that the PBEB project will entail the construction of fast electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) at the motorpool of the SBMA Maintenance and Transportation Department (MTD).
Another charging station donated by the Department of Energy (DOE) will be installed along Argonaut Highway, the official said.
“Ten units of these pure battery electric buses were delivered here in Subic Bay Freeport last May 13. We have road tested one of the buses on May 27 with several members of the SBMA Board. It is quite comfortable and provides easy access for persons with disabilities,” Aliño added.
The SBMA said it has allotted a budget of P10 million for the construction of new bus stops, as well as the rehabilitation of existing ones. Its completion is expected by December 2025.
Apart from the EVCs, the project also includes the renovation of the Kalaklan Gate Terminal, which serves as Subic Bay Freeport’s entry point for people coming from Zambales.
A total of 58 bus stops will be constructed -- eight around the Central Business District, 16 at the Cubi Area, six at theme park areas, 18 at the Binictican Housing area, and 10 at the Kalayaan Housing area.
The PBEBs were acquired through Golden Asia Automotive Builders, Inc.
They were manufactured by Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Co. Ltd., which was founded in 1988 with over 30 years of bus manufacturing experience.
To reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, the SBMA said it is working to become the first Carbon Neutral Port in the country thru initiatives such as the P250-million Carbon Neutral Port project with shore power connections for ships.