THE DAVAO Public Transport Modernization Project, also known as the DavaoBus Project, is set to start its pilot operations in 2027, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) announced on Thursday.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon conducted an inspection at the project’s construction site in Calinan District, Davao City, on Thursday, July 24.
DoTr said this is in line with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the highly anticipated bus project.
“The president is really disappointed with the delays, so he instructed us to fast-track this project. We need to stop making excuses and start solving problems, because this project is a game changer and it will be a model system for the entire country,” Dizon said in a press statement.
The pilot operations of the Davao Bus project will include the routes traversing Catalunan Pequeño-Ulas-Bangkal-Matina-Bankerohan-Quirino-Bajada-Lanang-Buhangin-Sasa.
Meanwhile, as part of the preparations for the pilot operations, the project also includes the establishment of the country’s first driving academy, or known as Davao Bus Driving Academy.
The academy is an initiative to professionalize public transport driving in a bid to ensure safer roads for both commuters and motorists.
“Tapos na ‘yung mga panahong atras-abante lang ang training ng mga driver natin. Kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo, dapat lahat ng magmamaneho ng mga bus dito sa DavaoBus ay may sapat na training para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga pasahero, pati na mga motorista sa kalsada,” Dizon explained.
He added that the construction is a turning point for the DavaoBus Project, which had been experiencing delays in the past two years.
According to DoTr, the bus-based transportation system will have a core service lane connecting major commercial centers, nine feeder routes, eight routes to inner urban areas and links between outer rural areas, and terminals in Davao City, Panabo City, and Davao del Norte.
The 672-kilometer DPTMP is similar to Edsa busway, a rapid transit system separated from normal road traffic in most of its stretch by concrete barriers on the innermost lane.
Funded by the Asian Development Bank, amounting to P73.4 billion, the Davao Bus will complement the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), utilizing modern buses compliant with PUVMP standards. It will also utilize 386 electric buses, 531 regular and 188 mini-buses.
The DPTMP’s Contract Packages 01, 02, 03 and 04 include the design and construction of the Calinan Depot, Buhangin Depot, and Driving School; design and construction of the Toril Depot, Toril Intermodal Terminal, Bunawan Terminal, and Calinan Terminal.
It also consists the civil works along bus routes including bus stops, bus lanes and other pedestrian improvement works; and design and build contracts for Sasa and Sto. Niño Depot.
