- 10 buses to run on city streets in October
TEN NEW units under the Davao City Interim Bus Service (DIBS) project are expected to be operationalized in early October, an official said.
Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, Davao City Bus Project manager, reported that the buses will be shipped to Davao in mid-August.
“We are hoping that sometime end of August or September, the buses will arrive in the city,” Domingo said in an interview with city-run disaster radio on Thursday.
Following the arrival of the buses, the drivers will undergo familiarization and training for a smoother and safer operation. The module includes gender sensitivity in accommodating passengers, road safety, and the general operation of the bus.
Domingo said the office proposed that the buses would operate on routes affected during peak hours.
However, they are currently waiting for approval from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the official list of routes.
“With the DIBS, we won’t stop the Peak Hour Augmentation Bus System since it’s really a big help (in addressing peak hour service shortage),” he noted.
The Davao Interim Bus Service is hiring NC3 TESDA-certified mechanics and command center operators.
The 10 low-floor buses can accommodate around 40 seated passengers, with additional space for standing commuters, which will be free of charge in the initial operations. The project was earmarked P100-million sourced from the city’s Supplemental Budget No. 3 of Fiscal Year 2024.
According to the company specifications, the Yutong ZK6186HG Premium Low-Entry BRT Bus has a length of 18 meters and can carry 121 passengers at full capacity. It will also have retractable seats in the PWD section and a ramp to accommodate wheelchairs. Aside from six CCTVs, two 22-inch TVs will help commuters tolerate the traffic and the long ride.
Photo courtesy of Yutong
