Motoring Today Column

Jul 19, 2023

Something very significant is happening in Davao.

The Davao City government has just signed a $1 billion loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank to fund an ambitious overhaul of the city's mass public transport system.

According to the ADB, the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project is expected to serve as a pilot program for overhauling the country's public road transport system.

The project will see the procurement of a modern fleet comprising around 1,100 electric and Euro 5-standard diesel-fueled buses with operations managed by the private sector under performance-based contracts.

Speaking at the Loan Signing Ceremony for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa, said: "This is a groundbreaking project that will transform Davao City's public transport. Modern public transport is the bedrock of urban development.

"With a fleet of about 1,100 buses, of which 40% will be electric, this project will support Davao City's rapid economic growth with a low-carbon and climate-resilient bus system. Once complete, we expect the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project to serve as a showcase for improving road-based public transport across the Philippines, and elsewhere in Asia."

The new fleet is expected to reduce by 60 percent the annual greenhouse gas emissions from public transport in Davao City , the country's third-largest city by population.

The ADB said the project includes the construction of around 1,000 bus stops with bright lighting and shelters, five bus depots and 3 bus terminals, and provide bus driving training for the new system.

The project will upgrade the city's public transport experience via an intelligent transport system that includes a bus location system, automatic fare collection systems, and Wi-Fi connectivity in buses, terminals, and depots, it added.

What is quite significant is that the project does not see any role for public utility jeepneys in the transport modernization project.

The project calls for rationalizing the current 120 jeepney routes covering 670 kilometers into only 30 bus routes.

Also quite telling is the ADB saying that after extensive consultations with government and community stakeholders, the project will include a social development program to mitigate adverse impacts and risks related to the restructuring of Davao City'stransport sector.

The assistance program, it added, will include livelihood opportunities for affected public utility jeepney drivers, operators, and allied workers and their families.

Transport groups have always vehemently opposed all modernization programs that would even hint at phasing out jeepneys, and have been successful in forcing government to back down or water down objectives to the point that jeepneys continue to be operate.

It is expected that jeepney operators and drivers inDavao, as well as transport groups nationwide, will oppose the modernization program.

Will the Davao City government, historically known for successfully implementing even the most draconian of initiatives, back down?

Starter Toyota

Carmakers are now taking to rolling out new models at malls.

Toyota Motor Philippines has launched the All-New Wigo , which it says features a bold redesign and improved technology and driving performance, at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City .

TMP believes the new Wigo will continue to be the starter Toyota, or the first Toyota that people will buy.

During the public roll-out of the All New Wigo at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City, TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto, said: "This is a very exciting launch for us at Toyota Motor Philippines because we know that the Wigo is one of the favorite Toyota models of Filipinos.

"The Wigo has given many new car buyers their memorable first car experience. In fact, we have given thrill and joy to more than 149,000 Wigo owners since the model was introduced in the country in 2014."

Honda Assurance

Honda Car Philippines also went to the mall to roll out the New City and Brio.

Over four days, Honda showcased the refreshed City and Brio at the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.

During the launch, Honda assured buyers that availability of units will not be a problem.

Said Honda Cars Philippines vice president Louie Soriano: " The Brio and the City are available starting today in all our dealerships and we assure the customer that we have available stocks for them. There is no issue about stocks for these new models if you are really interested in these models you can visit our dealerships and actually buy them now starting this afternoon in our dealerships."

Honda Cars Philippines president Rie Miyake said the brand is targeting sales of 500 units a month for the Cityand 300 units a month for the Brio.

Happy Motoring!!!

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