The city government of Davao is moving forward with plans to expand its electric public transportation system after Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte directed the procurement of 20 more electric buses for the Davao City Interim Bus Service (DC Bus).
The planned acquisition forms part of the city’s P1.25-billion supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which was recently approved on second reading by the Davao City Council. Around P200 million has been allocated for the purchase of the additional bus units.
With the arrival of the new buses, Davao City’s electric bus fleet is expected to grow to 30 units, enabling the DC Bus program to serve more routes and improve accessibility, reliability, and convenience for commuters.
City Information Office head Harvey Lanticse said the procurement process is already underway, alongside preparations for the infrastructure needed to support the expanded fleet.
These include the construction of charging stations, depot facilities, and garage infrastructure to ensure the efficient operation and maintenance of the electric buses.
Lanticse said the new units are expected to arrive by December this year.
He added that the initiative reflects the city government’s continuing commitment to modernizing public transportation while promoting environmentally sustainable and commuter-friendly mobility solutions.
“We will continue to pursue reliable, safe, and comfortable public transport services for every Dabawenyo,” Lanticse said.
Davao City launched the DC Bus program in October last year with the arrival of its first 10 electric buses.
The buses are 12-meter Yutong ZK6126HG low-floor units equipped with air-conditioning and modern amenities. Each unit can accommodate around 50 seated passengers, with additional standing capacity to help reduce congestion during peak hours.
