The city government has added Mintal and Cabantian to the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS), which the city will implement as soon as authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulator Board (LTFRB) XI.
“PHABS was initially initiated for the Toril Route and Catalunan Grande Route but since there were suggestions made by several agencies and concerned citizens through social media, a quick survey was made in Mintal,” City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) Chief Dionisio Abude said.
The survey showed that a total of 505 passengers in the Mintal area, including Sto. Niño, Wellspring Crossing, Catalunan Pequeno and Green Meadows, wait each day for rides in going to Boulevard (Trading), Ecoland SM, and Roxas Avenue.
Abude said the Cabantian Route was determined during the first survey conducted by the CTTMO, which showed that at least 211 passengers wait on a daily basis from Cabantian for Agdao and Uyanguren areas.
“The bus units shall load/unload only at designated bus stops, but it is preferred that the bus should not be allowed to unload passengers at the immediate next stop to primarily cater the passengers going to downtown area,” he said.
The deployed buses are expected to charge the regular rate of P10 for the first 5 kilometers and P2.20 for the additional kilometer.
The identified route for Mintal is from Barangay Sto. Niño through the Davao-Bukidnon Road, turning left to McArthur Highway via Bangkal, Matina Crossing, turn right to Quimpo Blvd through Bolton Bridge, turn left to San Pedro St. then turn left to Quirino Ave., through McAcrthur Highway via Matina Crossing via Bangkal, turn right to the Davao-Bukidnon Road and then back to Vistaland. The PHABS for Mintal, which will start from Mintal to San Pedro Cathedral and vice versa, will be available during the morning peak hours from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and during the afternoon peak hours from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The identified route for Cabantian is from NCCC Cabantian through Cabantian Road through Dacudao Ave., through Leon Garcia, turn right to Sta. Ana Ave., then turn right to JP Laurel Ave, turn right to Buhangin Flyover (loop) through Quinones Road through Cabantian Road and then back to NCCC Cabantian. The PHABS for Cabantian, which will start from Cabantian to Sta. Ana and vice versa, will be available during the morning peak hours from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and during the afternoon peak from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Abude said the designated bus stops for the Mintal Route during the morning peak are Barangay Sto. Nino layby, Green Meadows, Catalunan Pequeño, SM Ecoland and San Pedro Cathedral; and for the afternoon peak are San Pedro Cathedral, NCCC Maa, Ulas, Catalunan Pequeño, Green Meadows and Barangay Santo Niño/Vistaland.
The designated bus stops for the Cabantian Route during the morning peak are NCCC Cabantian, Gaisano Milan, Leon Garcia/Soliman and Sta. Ana Avenue; and for the afternoon peak are Sta. Ana Avenue, Chong Hua School, Victoria Plaza, Flyover Buhangin/JP Laurel, Gaisano Grand and NCCC Cabantian.
Mayor Sara Duterte instructed the CTTMO to conduct the initial PHABS survey following a number of requests and complains pertaining to the increasing number of passengers waiting at points of convergence, which are unserved by existing public utility vehicles.
The Toril and Catalunan Grande areas were made the priority due to the large number of unserved passengers, including 895 waiting at the Toril Shell gas station during peak hours in the morning. The same is true for passengers in the Catalunan Grande area.
Abude said this is part of an immediate solution and short-term plan pending the implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) in the city. CIO
