DAVAO CITY — In a significant step toward improving urban mobility, the City Government of Davao has finalized the procurement of ten brand-new 12-meter low-floor city buses aimed at enhancing the city’s public transport system.
A ceremonial contract signing was held on Monday, April 21, between the City Government and AutoKID Truck Solutions, the winning bidder, for the supply of ten Yutong ZK6126HG buses under the DC Bus Interim Bus Service program — or DC Bus.
“These new buses represent an interim solution to the public transport challenges Davao currently faces,” said Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, Project Manager of the Davao Bus Project.
The newly acquired buses are designed for convenience and accessibility, featuring modern amenities and offering seating for approximately 40 passengers, along with standing room to accommodate more commuters.
According to Domingo, as early as 2023, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte had instructed the city’s transport team to explore expanding and institutionalizing the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) due to delays in the larger Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, commonly known as the Davao Bus Project.
“Through the wealth of data from PHABS operations, it became clear that there’s a need for additional dedicated buses to better serve the commuting public,” Domingo explained. He added that the gathered data also guided the city in identifying key routes and service levels for the new buses.
The city has allocated funds not only for the procurement of the vehicles but also for the installation of necessary amenities to ensure smooth operations and maintenance.
The new buses are expected to arrive by September, with operations targeted to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Once rolled out, the DC Bus service will be offered free of charge to Dabawenyo commuters, providing immediate relief while the city continues its long-term transport modernization efforts.