THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said the Davao modernized bus system is on track to start partial operations by the first quarter of 2028.
Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP) forms part of the DoTr’s commitment to advance the shift to electric public transport. Electric buses will form nearly 40% of the modernized bus fleet.
The project will feature dedicated bus stops and bus lanes on selected roads. Its three components are a high-priority bus system; the strengthening of institutional capacity to execute the project; and the delivery of social development programs.
The DPTMP is a 672-kilometer road network with 29 routes. The project will deploy about 1,000 buses, of which 386 will be electric.
Once completed, the project is expected to serve 800,000 passengers per day, Mr. Lopez said.
The P73.4-billion project, funded by the Asian Development Bank and the government, will also integrate an automated fare collection system, an automated vehicle locator, computer-aided dispatch, and real-time passenger information. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
