Davao Readies Integrated Bus System

The City Government of Davao is readying the Davao Integrated Bus System (DIBS) as it is preparing two routes for initial implementation.

The DIBS is the actual implementation of the High Priority Bus Sytem (HPBS) where city buses will be replacing Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) in plying city routes.

“We will be initially opening two routes, Catalunan and C.P. Garcia, we are surveying identified bus stops and we are in the stage where the City Engineer’s Office is doing the costing for the bus stop shelters,” Dionisio Abude, head of the City Transportation and Traffic Management Office said.

The DIBS has six routes, the initial routes are; Catalunan Grande going to downtown Davao City, and the Carlos P. Garcia Highway going to the Philippine Ports Authority office in Sasa.

He said consultations have been held among jeepney operators, drivers and barangay officials about the DIBS.

“Once we opened the routes for DIBS, we have to take away the PUJs in these routes,” Abude said.

An estimated 400 jeepney drivers will be affected in Catalunan Grande and about 40 drivers in the C.P. Garcia routes. Some of the jeepney drivers can still serve the feeder routes that lead to the bus stops.

Abude said that the affected operators and drivers are asking for financial assistance for the operators and drivers. The amount of this assistance that will be given to the operators and the drivers is still to be determined.

As for the commuters which were respondents of the survey conducted by the City Government, about 90% of the 1,200 respondents are in favor of the bus system despite the increase in fares.

Abude said they would need 24 city buses for the routes. A city bus is a type of bus designed for short distance public transport, it has large multiple doors, spacious, airconditioned, and has a low floor for easy access.

There are currently six city buses servicing in the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus System (PHABS) for Toril and Catalunan Grande routes.

The PHABS is a temporary solution undertaken by the city government to cater to commuters stranded during peak hours. Its implementation has been a hit among commuters as it is more comfortable and convenient than PUJs. (PIA/RG Alama)