DAVAO CITY (October 16) — Ten new low-floor city buses have arrived at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal, marking a key step in efforts to modernize the city’s public transportation system.
The 12-meter units, acquired under the Davao Interim Bus Service (DIBS), are equipped with access ramps for persons with disabilities, bicycle racks, CCTV cameras, and automated passenger counters.
Set to begin operations by mid-November, the DIBS buses will provide free rides during peak hours as part of the city government’s interim solution to long-standing transport challenges.
“We mentioned in previous interviews that we were targeting a mid-October launch, but due to delivery delays caused by inclement weather, we are now looking at mid-November,” said project manager Tristan Dwight Domingo.
Routes and operations
Bus routes will be announced soon, pending approval from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Domingo said necessary documents have been submitted and the team is working to meet regulatory requirements.
Drivers are currently undergoing training and will begin route familiarization in the coming weeks. Dedicated bus stops will also be installed across the city to ensure efficient boarding and alighting.
“All stops will be pre-determined and located at designated points. That’s how public transportation should operate, and we will follow that protocol,” Domingo emphasized.
Part of a bigger transport plan
Domingo noted that the 10 buses are only an initial deployment, primarily for peak-hour use. The city ultimately needs nearly 1,000 buses to build a fully efficient and reliable public transport system.
“This is just a temporary solution while we await the full implementation of the national government’s larger Davao Bus Project,” he said.
The DIBS program is fully funded and operated by the city government as part of a broader push to modernize urban mobility.
