Del Monte City Trans Corporation is set to bring mini buses that would serve San Jose Del Monte City to Balintawak via Marilao through NLEX. Small as it may seem, these buses can carry 23 seating passengers, which can maximize out with an additional 8 to 10 standing passengers. Good enough for short distance, city-to-city buses like of San Jose Del Monte - Balintawak route. Likewise, the buses are of air-conditioned, with a dedicated PWD seat and are in a 2 x 1 seating configuration. It has also a TV-set for entertainment purposes. The company said that they'll be deploying 10 units for the said routing service. More of these may be deployed soon as they disclosed that these are of their first batch of units.
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Davao City is pushing its High Priority Bus System (HPBS) to be implemented early this year. The aim is to replace their current 7000 public utility jeepneys to 1000 Low-floor city buses.
But the city government would like to have a single bus company to operate for HPBS so that the responsibility would only be taken care of by the selected bus company. The government would open a bidding process that will determine a bus firm that would operate for HPBS. HPBS spokesperson Norman Baloro said last Wednesday that based on the information he got, there were four big local bus companies and Manila-based companies who are interested to join in the bidding scheduled in February. Baloro did not disclose the names of these companies, but he stressed that the number could increase since more companies have sent their letter of intent to the city. “We have a bidding process. We will call on bus company owners who have the capacity, and right after that we will order the buses based on the budget,” Baloro said. Baloro added that one of their primary considerations in choosing a company is their credibility in delivering quality service, aside from their financial capacity. The HPBS would cost PhP 18.6 billion, of which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had offered a loan package. The city also allocated PhP 250 million of which is funded for the livelihood program to the affected jeepney drivers and operators. Info source: SunStar Land Car Incorporated is now ready for Davao City's High Priority Bus System (HPBS) as their buses had arrived in Manila and is ready to be delivered to Davao City. In a post from Land Car Incorporated's Facebook page, they posted about the arrival of these buses and that they're now in need of two engine man mechanics. These buses are Ankai Low-floor City Buses, and it looks like its the Ankai HFF6100G39DE5. Davao City will be implementing the HPBS this year that would replace 7000 public jeepneys into 1000 buses. To comply with the demand for HPBS, local bus players such as Land Car Incorporated are now purchasing city buses and that will serve soon for the local commuters.
This is Davao's answer to their worsening traffic, and to modernize their public transport. Source: Land Car Incorporated Bus transportation in the Philippines are becoming bigger and better, and it pushes us to commute in places unknown. With tougher competition between bus companies to serve us better, they continue to buy newer and bigger buses just to impress their patronizing passengers. Therefore, that not all buses are created equal. And on this feature, we'll be showing you how this bus from Victory Liner is different from the rest. This one, in particular, is a Man Modulo 19.360, and when we say Man, it is one of the leading bus and truck manufacturers in Europe, so the engine itself won't disappoint you. The stylish, boxy-looking bus resembles the "Euro" buses we had before, it feels like the design beings us back to the time when even Victory Liner had their Nissan Diesel Euro buses. The coachworks are purely Filipino, manufactured by Santarosa Motorworks. Following the current design of Man Lion Coaches, this one features chrome finished MAN emblem, with an upper trim integrated with Man's Lion logo. The interiors are just as simple as is. Patterned with Victory Liner colors, the seats are made of leather, with dedicated cupholders for your tea. It has charging ports for your mobile devices, a basket holder for your belongings and this bus is restroom equipped. The floor has a touch of wood, making the bus more elegant and classy. The restroom is placed at the back, which is way better than seeing it as an eyesore in the middle. The seats are reclinable, so you can adjust it at the comfort of your own. The bus also features a CCTV for safety. These buses were assigned to Mariveles - Tuguegarao via San Fernando / Dau, Pura, TPLEX. Regular fare for Mariveles - Tuguegarao is PhP 1,022.00, while PhP 817.00 for Student/SC/PWD.
Just when Philippine AirAsia shall extend its reach to Zamboanga, the low-cost airline company reveals that it shall enter services to General Santos City.
Their service in General Santos City will be to and from Manila. Leonard Flores, chief of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) in General Santos said that the AirAsia Philippines flight will start in the first quarter of this year. “We already received a commitment from Air Asia for an evening flight from Manila next year, around 6 to 10 PM, so we can host more international events,” he said. Ricardo “Ricky” P. Isla, the Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Philippines said that the move is in line with the airline’s vision of allowing its guests to tick-off more destinations from their travel bucket list. AirAsia Philippines will be utilizing their Airbus A320-200, the only aircraft kind in their entire fleet. Each one can carry 180 passengers. Source: BusinessWorld, Philippine News Agency Hino Motors Philippines, one of the country's producers of modern jeepneys is now to deliver their Hino’s Class II modern jeepneys in CARAGA Region. Just one month after Hino opens dealership in Butuan City, Diamond Transport Service Cooperative (DATSCO) takes 15 units to operate the city's Route 10. Route 10 goes around Ampayon (via BMC) to Bancasi, and from Butuan City to Carmen, Agusan del Norte. First in CARAGA Aside that these jeepneys were the first in Butuan City, it is also the first in the entire CARAGA Region. And so with the blessing of these jeepneys yesterday were the presence of the Land Transportation Franchising and REgulatory Board (LTFRB), Atty. Martin B. Delgra III, together with Butuan City Mayor Engr. Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada, Butuan City Vice Mayor Jose S. Aquino II, Carmen Municipal Mayor Jovit Calo. Being the first in CARAGA Region, it is expected that the numbers of these jeepneys would grow as the government pushes its effort to modernize transportation in the country. About the jeepney Hino Class II Modern Jeepney is a Euro 4-compliant public utility vehicle. It is air-conditioned, and like in the traditional jeepneys it features side-facing seats with a wider aisle for standing passengers.
It can accommodate 19 passengers and can maximize with 8 to 10 standing passengers. Hino Class II Modern Jeepney uses the latest technology to guarantee safer travel and feature a speed limiter, GPS, CCTV, Beep card system and a dashboard-mounted camera. Sources: Hino Motors Philippines, Top Gear Philippines, Magik FM Butuan, IFM Butuan After several years of delays, the construction of the new terminal building of General Santos City International Airport (GSIA) is now speeding up, as the airport is taking its shape with the installation of its 2 airport bridges. The terminal building in which construction had begun April 2017 has been delayed for 3 years. Since its operations in 1996, the airport didn't receive any major repairs or upgrades. But in 2015, the former Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) sees the need to rehabilitate GSIA and its facilities. The proposed budget for the rehabilitation went to PhP 959 Million. Aside from the terminal building, the airport's basic supply facilities, water supply, power, navigation, and support facilities will be upgraded to meet the expanding influx of passenger traffic at the airport. Architectural Design The new terminal building is patterned in a Yellow Fin Tuna, which has become a symbolic icon for the city as it bags the title, "Tuna Capital of the Philippines". Setting it into International standards, the airport's upgraded terminal building shall feature 2 airport bridges that can easily ferry passengers from the terminal building to the plane. What caused the delays? Delay mars the construction schedule of GSIA's terminal building upgrade due to logistical and manpower problems. Edgardo Cueto, manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) says that the construction of GSIA's terminal building may be delayed for another year. He also cited that the delays were also because of the late delivery of imported steel and pre-fabricated materials from China. Cueto said the project’s contractor, joint venture firms Vicente T. Lao Construction and C.B. Garay Philwide Builders Inc., already incurred “huge slippage” based on the two-year contract duration. A “slippage” refers to the delay or failure to meet a deadline by the contractor in the implementation of a project contract. New deadline The Department of Transportation (DOTr) had considered the contractor’s request for a three-month extension or until September 2019 to complete the project. But since May, Cueto has doubted that the airport may be completed within the three-months extension. But until now, the airport's rehabilitation hasn't been completed. Leonard Flores, the chief of General Santos' City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) said they are hoping that it will materialize in the first quarter 2020. What to expect once it is done? Flores said thru Philippine New Agency that Philippine AirAsia had told their intent to enter Manila to General Santos City flights.
“We already received a commitment from Air Asia for an evening flight from Manila this 2020,” he said. Flores added that they will aggressively be pushing to open new air routes for the city. The city government of General Santos has signed sisterhood agreements with the cities of Mabalacat, Angeles, and San Fernando in Pampanga as well as partnerships with their chambers of commerce and tourism associations to drum up support for the opening of direct flights between the city and Clark airports. CAAP has been also helping the city airport comply with the requirements for the hosting of international flights while the local government has already initiated studies for direct flights to Hong Kong and Singapore, he added. Source: Philippine News Agency, Mindanao Economic Boom Rickshaw is a common Asian mode of transport which is famous in India and Thailand and is operating similar to a taxi. And by the time when the Philippine Government is urging transport operators to modernize their vehicles, Rickshaws were introduced to several provinces as a modern alternative for tricycles. Then after, Rickshaws were become popular, especially in Mindanao. In the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, local motorcycle dealers had started introducing these rickshaws back in 2018. At that time, most tricycle drivers and operators were tried already to maintain their old units and had thought of replacing their tricycles with new ones. With the introduction of rickshaws, it became an attraction to most tricycle drivers and operators and rickshaws was sold like pancakes. Rickshaws became popular in the province, and it became the most common transportation mode in almost all towns in Zamboanga Sibugay. It even got its local name, "bao-bao" and "bajare" in which were originated by their brand names. And as soon as popularity rises for these rides, they tried to pimp it, Sibugaynon style. Most rickshaws here were modified with stickers and has pimped their wheels. This one had taken all effort to make it look like a race car like placing bumpers and fenders. They even modified it with massive sound system, and entertainment gadgets like mini TVs. Just as when we usually see these kinds of stickers on pickup trucks, this one would like to pretend that this rickshaw was made tough for off-roads. The operator of this one seems to be a fan of our Senator Bato Dela Rosa, Ricardo Dalisay and President Rody Duterte, and it's pretty obvious with the stickers at the windshield. And if you're a 19-year-old gamer and a fan of PewDiePie, you might see this one quite familiar. It's also quite a coincidence to see a Bato Dela Rosa sticker in there that is doing the same "fistbump" too. Looks like this one has a vibe of Initial D, with a mix of Captain America, and is trying to be a BMW. The owner also seems to be so proud of their younger family member, that they decided to have it printed and placed on the windshield...a typical common practice to some transport operators in the country. Chrome lights? How about the entire facia? That makes the rickshaw way cooler! Now that we know about these rickshaws being pimped out, modified and then is used for public transport in Zamboanga Sibugay, this only to show that we Filipinos have our taste with our local transport...something that we did with jeepneys before. And with these rickshaws, we could say ours is something different from what we see in India, Thailand and the rest of Asia.
Usually, when we go to Baguio City, we often go there through a bus that takes us there for 4 to 5 hours. But before, Baguio used to have an airport that goes directly from Manila, and it was Loakan Airport.
Loakan Airport existed since 1934 as the airport hub for Baguio City and its surrounding towns and villages. It is known to pilots as one of the most challenging airports to fly and land in the country due to its short runway, frequent low visibility and deep ravines at both ends of the runway. Having a runway measuring around 1.6 kilometers long, Loakan Airport can only accommodate small aircraft and those that are capable to land and take off in a short distance. Unfortunately, the airport ceased its commercial operations in 2009. Before it closed, Asian Spirit and Philippine Airlines used to had their daily operations to and from Manila. Since its closure, operations for the airport were taken over by the Philippine Air Force to cater chartered and military flights on demand. It was then supposed to have been closed for good, as the airport was proposed to become an expansion area for the State-run Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). But since then, the city and its tourism industry stakeholders expressed their vehement opposition for the said plan that compelled the government to shelve the same and allow the existence of the airport to date. In 2019, just ten years after its closure, the city government decided to push its efforts in bringing back the commercial flights to Loakan Airport. They started with negotiations with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the turnover of the management and operation of the Loakan Airport. City officials had then been making representations with the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to become the airport's third-party operator. The city government will also demolish more or less one hundred structures within the declared buffer zone of the Loakan airport as part of the preparatory works for the opening of the airport to commercial operations as recommended by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong said that the demolition of the obstructing structures is to ensure the safe operation of the airport. Aside from the removal of the structures within the declared buffer zone of the airport, there will be an installation of the necessary Instrument Landing System (ILS) which is in need to guide aircraft in maneuvering in and out of the airport even in bad weather. Once everything is set, the airport shall be ready to operate once again for commercial flights. If everything goes into the plan, Loakan Airport shall be fully operational for commercial flights within this year, 2020. The re-opening of the airport will help to boost the city tourism industry especially with the expected influx of high-end visitors as summer arrives. Info source: Public Information Office - City of Baguio, GMA News, CNN Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer, PNA A tricycle driver in Zamboanga returns cellphone to its owner after it was left misplaced and unattended at the tricycle.
Cai Cabanalan shared the story on Facebook and told that the phone is her father-in-law's, and it went gone missing at their last tricycle ride. Soon as the tricycle driver saw the phone inside his tricycle, he managed to contact the owner and let them know that he found the phone. The tricycle driver went to Cabanalan's home and gave the phone back to the owner. Cabanalan was so thankful to the honest tricycle driver. The honest tricycle driver's identity, nor the plate number and its operator wasn't disclosed on Cabanalan's post on Facebook. But based on her posting, the driver operates a Red Kawasaki Brutus with blue and red sidecar. Cabanalan said that they rewarded the driver for his honesty. Modern jeepneys have just arrived in General Santos City, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing for the modernization of public transport in the country. These jeepneys were based from Hyundai HD50S platform. Known as the "Hyundai Modern Jeepney Class 2", these jeepneys are powered by a 2.9-liter Euro 4-compliant CRDi that provides better fuel efficiency, reliability, and cleaner emissions. The jeepney's body and its interiors are manufactured by Del Monte Motor Works Inc. (DMMWI). A veteran manufacturer and coach-builder, Hyundai had been a partner with DMMWI to produce the Hyundai Modern Jeepney Class 2. It features a roof-mounted air conditioning, Wi-Fi, GPS tracking, CCTV cameras, 7-inch monitor, and speed limiter. It can accommodate 22 seated passengers + 1 driver as well as 8 to 10 standing commuters. If we recall, General Santos has been the first city in Mindanao to have e-jeepneys, in replacement to the city's old public utility jeepneys. Like on their previous modern jeepneys, fares shall be collected through an e-card, of which is cashless and can be loaded electronically.
Part of GenSan's Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) and of the country's push for modernize our public transport, the city through its local government and their local jeepney operators are advancing to adopt modern technology for a cleaner and better transport for commuters and to entice people to commute and hop on in a mass transit system. Additional source: Hyundai Philippines, Del Monte Motor Works Inc. (DMMWI) Want to go to Baguio, but unsure about the fares and is tight on budget? Worry no more, for here's to our fare guides in going to the City of Pines, especially now that the famous Penagbenga Festival is approaching. Take note that the fares below are subject to change, without prior notice. Senior Citizens and Stiudents are entitled to a 20% discount. Victory Liner Inc. Cubao, Metro Manila (First Class) - PhP 800.00 Cubao, Metro Manila (Regular AC) - PhP 485.00 Pasay City, Metro Manila (First Class) - PhP 800.00 Pasay City, Metro Manila (P2P DeLuxe) - PhP 525.00 Pasay City, Metro Manila (Regular AC) - PhP 496.00 Caloocan City, Metro Manila (Express) - PhP 496.00 Sampaloc, Metro Manila (Regular AC) - PhP 487.00 *as of January 2020 Pangasinan Solid North Transit Inc. / JAC Liner PITX, Metro Manila (P2P Luxury) - PhP 760.00 PITX, Metro Manila (P2P Super DeLuxe) - PhP 525.00 *as of January 2020 Genesis Transport / North Genesis Avenida, Metro Manila - PhP 480.00 Cubao, Metro Manila - PhP 480.00 *as of September 2019 Joybus - Executive Coach by Genesis Transport Cubao, Metro Manila (Premium) - 740.00 Cubao, Metro Manila (Deluxe Class) - 720.00 *as of September 2019. To book on Joybus, kindly approach their ticketing offices Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines Avenida, Metro Manila - PhP 480.00 *as of September 2019 Travel time from Metro Manila to Baguio City takes 4 to 5 hours, depending on the bus you're taking on. Point-to-Point and Non-Stop Luxury buses usually takes faster than the Regular ones.
For more fare guides within the Cordillera Region, click here to see the full list. The dominant bus player in Ilocos, PARTAS Transportation shall enter bus services...only this time, it would be on the other side of the North.
PARTAS is soon to enter bus services for Pasay - Tuguegarao route. It would be a terminal-to-terminal service, meaning it would be a non-stop bus service. In preparation for their entry in Tuguegarao, PARTAS is building a state-of-the-art bus terminal at the Diversion Road in San Gabriel. Since November of last year, a City Resolution has been made by Tuguegarao City's local government interposing no objection to the deployment of Tourist buses in service by the PARTAS Transportation Company for Pasay - Tuguegarao and Vice Versa. Meanwhile, the bus company is strengthening its numbers, as they bring in additional Golden Dragon Triumph buses. Like on their first purchases of these, it will be equipped with a restroom, reclining seats with USB Charging Ports, buspads and a dedicated footrest and legrest. Additional Info: Tuguegarao City LGU The future awaits for the New Zamboanga International Airport, as as the city government awaits for the downloading of the first tranche of PhP 200 Million for the acquisition of the new airport's lot.
From its current site in Canelar, the airport will be transferred 15 kilometers away, along the Mercedes-Talabaan area. On her State of the City Address (SOCA) last week, the city mayor, Beng Climaco said that the local government unit and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) had signed a memorandum of agreement last year for the acquisition of lot, procurement of services for appraisal, survey works, transfer of titles and other documentary requirements. A Public-Private Partnership is now being planned between the City of Zamboanga and Megawide Corporation, as the partnership intends to handle and fund the airport transfer and Manila Water’s proposal for a waste to fuel project. “We are just getting started and the possibilities and unlimited potential of the City of Zamboanga excites us to plan and to continuously work hard so that amazing quality of life will be within reach for every Zamboangueno family as we enter a new decade,” Climaco said. The airport transfer has been a longing dream for the Zamboangeños. It has been since 2008 when the former Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) had allotted PhP 15 Million for the feasibility study of the said airport transfer. In its initial plan, the new international airport would have 6 Jet Bridges, a 3,440-meter runway, and that it could hold 8 Million passengers per year. With this new development for the New Zamboanga International Airport, Mayor Climaco is optimistic that the airport would bring a huge impact for the city's economy and progress. “We can really dream big for Zamboanga City and transform it into a world-class metropolitan city with new growth areas.”, Climaco added. Sources: Beng Climaco FB, Archive report from DOTC Well-known Canadian blogger, Kulas of BecomingFilipino came to visit Zamboanga City from Cagayan De Oro, when he took the most "coldest" bus ride he couldn't imagine for. He took Rural Transit's direct, 10-stop bus route from Cagayan De Oro to Zamboanga City with their Kinglong XMQ6125AY. And he was right about that bus for being so cold. In our experience, these buses would sometimes take 21 degrees Celsius inside. Want to experience winter in the Philippines? Just ride a long distance night bus! You may look at me in these photos and think... "This guy is crazy! Why is he so bundled up for a bus ride in the Philippines!? A hot tropical country!" But Kulas came in prepared. Knowing that the bus has charging ports, is restroom equipped and has 5 TV's, he came in wearing his full jacket and covered with his coat and scarf. But despite his preparedness, he still felt the chills as the bus inside gets colder despite traveling in a tropical country Trust me, I am not crazy, I am prepared! You see, buses have gotten a lot more modern over the years... They now have tv's, comfort rooms, and sometimes even charging outlets. Oh, and for some reason they seem to have the most ridiculously cold air-conditioning! Seriously, I will never forget the first time I took a night bus across the country... But what he didn't realize, is that the bus route he took is the Mindanao's longest bus route. The Cagayan De Oro - Zamboanga bus route has a distance of 482.3 kilometers and can take 12 to 14 hours! And that can take even longer depending on its stopovers and military checkpoints. Adding the chills that you would experience for the entire trip, and you can feel an instant winter here in the Philippines. So then, Kulas gave his tips to what we should do for this trip:
1) Wear a coat and scarf. 2) Cuddle with a backpack. 3) Hide in the CR. (This is a Joke) 4) Take over the bus and drive it. (Joke again!) Fare for this bus ride is at PhP 1,000.00, and PhP 800.00 for Student/SC. But here's our advice, should you ever take this trip, but wanting it for a shorter and faster time, take the "5 STOP" at night time instead. It would take 2 to 3 hours lesser than the usual. Source: BecomingFilipino |
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Lloyd SaladagaA transport enthusiast turned advocate that shares the good vibes about Transportation in the Philippines. Together with affiliated transport enthusiast groups, he and his colleagues formed Transport.PH in 2016, that envisions to be the guide of all traveling Filipinos and daily commuters. ArchivesCategories |