THE DAVAO City Interim Bus Service or DC Bus will start its rollout on Dec. 5.
During the pinning ceremony of the DC bus drivers on Thursday, Nov. 27, Atty Tristan Dwight Domingo, DC Bus project manager, shared that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) finally approved their franchise.
However, Domingo said the insurance for the bus units is still pending, a requirement before they can start operating.
“We wanted the passengers, as well as the bus, to be fully insured. So we are working that out as a requirement from the LTFRB that it should be from accredited insurance companies identified,” he said.
He added the office is already processing the payment for the specific permits.
Meanwhile, all 124 signages have been prepositioned in designated bus stops.
The buses will operate during peak hours, 6-10 a.m. and 4-9 p.m.in routes:
Southbound routes
- Toril to Guillermo Torres or Sandawa
- Toril to Roxas
- Mintal to Sandawa
- Mintal to Roxas
- Bangkal to Roxas
Northbound routes
- Buhangin to Roxas
- Several Panacan routes via Angliongto and R Castillo
Domingo, however, said the buses might operate beyond the scheduled hours in the Christmas season if need arises.
The 10 low-floor buses can accommodate up to 90 passengers, 46 seats for regular passengers, 2 seats for PWD and 15 standing passengers.
Domingo said the buses will be free of charge in the initial operations.
Earmarked P100-million sourced from the city’s Supplemental Budget No. 3 of Fiscal Year 2024, DC Buses are eyed to ease transport problems of the residents.
To secure order in the bus, every bus unit will have personnel from the Civil Security Unit onboard.
Domingo said a city ordinance will be passed to formalize the regulations for the passengers to be guided in the use of the buses.
A total of 22 bus drivers of the DC Bus were officially pinned on Thursday, at the Rizal Park prior to the official launching of the DC Bus.
Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II and Domingo administered the pinning ceremony.
Duterte said the pinning ceremony of the drivers serves as the city’s commitment to provide a reliable and safe transport system.
“Today’s ceremony is an integral part of the DC Bus Project as it exemplifies the readiness of our drivers. Their acceptance of responsibility to ensure the safety of commuters and confidence of the city government for them,” he stressed.
