THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) XI announced on Wednesday that an additional four routes for the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) have opened in response to the concerns of the riding public.
Nonito Llanos III, LTFRB XI regional director, said during the Habi at Kape, the additional routes were effective on Oct. 17, through Office Circular No. 02. series of 2024.
“This office in coordination with the City Transport and Traffic Management Office, re-evaluated the routes operating under PHABS, pursuant to the rising public concerns and traffic situations,” the circular reads.
The additional routes for the afternoon peak (5-8 p.m.) are:
- UM Matina to Ma-a with the route structure of UM Matina designated stop to MacArthur Hwy. to Maa Rd. to Maa designated stop and vice versa (1 bus unit);
- UM Matina to Matina Aplaya with the route structure of UM Matina designated stop to MacArthur Hwy. to Matina Aplaya Rd to Matina Aplaya designated stop at Shanghai Urban Village (1 bus unit);
- UM Bolton to Indangan (3 units) with the route structure UM Bolton-JP Rizal St. to CM Recto Avenue to JP Laurel to Damaso- Quinones Rd. via Buhangin to Buhangin-Cabantian Rd. to Cabantian-Bunawan Rd. to Indangan designated stop.
Meanwhile, for the morning peak (5-8 a.m.), the added route is Puan to Roxas with 1 bus unit traversing from Puan designated stop to MacArthur Hwy. to Quimpo Blvd to Quezon Blvd. to San Pedro St. to CM Recto to Roxas Ave.
At present, there are 35 existing bus units operating under the nine PHABS routes for Calinan, Toril, Mintal, Catalunan Grande, Puan to Panacan Depot, Tibungco via Sasa, Tibungco via Buhangin, NHA Bangkal to Roxas Ave. via Bankerohan, and UM Matina to Mintal.
Despite the opening of the additional routes, Llanos recognized this was not a sustainable solution.
“As much as this tool has become a help to the riding public due to the reduced number of PUJs operating in the city, there are still a lot of things to do,” he said.
Llanos said the agency is conducting a study to introduce to the city a new public utility system, until such time the High Priority Bus System of the city will be implemented.
The system will be using a modernized public utility vehicle if the city government allows it. These are Class 3 modernized jeeps/vans that are currently operating in Davao del Sur.
“It is air-conditioned, with complete gadgets such as CCTV cameras, and dashboard cameras, comfortable, affordable for our people,” he said.
He added the study is yet to be completed but is targeted to be accomplished by the second week of November. Following the completion of the study, the agency will be collaborating with the city government for the consultation.
Photo by Bing Gonzales
