Davao City to Implement Bus System by Early 2020

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has announced that by 2020, the city will be implementing its High Priority Bus System (HPBS).

"For the HPBS, we have evaluated the road transit rationalization in the city and develop a solution to minimize the existing 120 to 130 routes into 29 routes initially recommended by the HPBS study. We are also planning to replace 7,000 public utility jeepneys with more or less 1,000 buses," Duterte said in her State of the City Address last October 14.

The new bus system will introduce Automatic Fare Collection for convenience of the commuters

To jumpstart the project, the City Council approved a PHP100-million fund under 2019 Supplemental Budget No.1  for the first stage of the HPBS.

"By the first quarter of 2020, we are hopefully looking at the operation of low-floor buses in Catalunan Grande and  in Diversion Road, opening a proper route for north to south commuters," the Mayor said.

Also included in the Supplemental Budget is the financial assistance to recompense the PUJ operators and drivers.

"As part of the compensation, we also offer various social development programs adopted from and conducted by our partners; DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment, DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), CHED (Commission on Higher Education) among others, these are scholarships, cash-for-work programs, trainings and other livelihood projects in the amount of PHP650 million," Duterte said.

The funds were accessed from former President and former House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

"As the HPBS is in its early stages, we are currently implementing the Expanded Peak Hours Augmentation Bus System in order to address immediate transportation concerns of the commuters," the mayor added.

The expanded PHABS covers the localities of Catalunan Grande, Toril, Calinan, Panacan, Lasang, Cabantian, and Buhangin.