Aboitiz, partners launch e-shuttle service in Davao

MANILA, Philippines — The Aboitiz Group and its partners have launched their pilot electric shuttle service in Davao as part of their contribution in significantly reducing harmful emissions, maximizing available new technologies, and encouraging inclusive benefits for all.

Aboitiz Power Corp. unit Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light), GET Philippines, QEV Technologies of Spain, and the city government of Davao have launched the BEST Bus project, the first fully electric, free-ride shuttle service in Mindanao.

This makes Davao among the first pilot cities in the country.

Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz said the organization is proud to be a part of an initiative that marries technology and good governance to create a platform that improves quality of life for all.

“BEST Bus serves as our contribution to one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by providing innovative solutions for a cleaner, safer, and kinder world,” he said.

BEST – which stands for Business for Environmentally Sustainable Transformation – is an initiative advocating to “be green, be digital, and be kind” for the betterment of the community.

A total of seven new fully air-conditioned electric buses feature an electric ramp and reserved space for PWDs.

Each bus, which will be operating from the Davao Light office in Ponciano, Davao City, has a maximum capacity of 30 persons. However, in observance of the current social distancing protocols, only half of this capacity will be allowed during the initial operations.

Davao Light president and CEO Rodger Velasco said the fully electric feature of the bus means no harmful emissions, only sustainable impact on the environment.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, Davao Light together with the rest of the Aboitiz Group, our partners especially GET Philippines look at ways to support our beloved Davao City while ensuring that the environment is not harmed,” Velasco said.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said the project is a welcome initiative as it is aligned with the city’s efforts to provide efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation options for the riding public.

“These buses marry modern convenience, functionality and environmental  sustainability, and will be a treat for Dabawenyos this Christmas season – for not only are they fully electric and zero-emission buses, but they are also  equipped with internet connectivity, and ramps and wheelchair slots for  persons with disabilities (PWDs),” she said.

Aboitiz said the group has a long history with Davao City, starting with the city’s 9-1-1 system that used Davao Light’s electric posts as one of the means to get the system running.

The group also manages Cleanergy Park, an icon of biodiversity in the city, and operates Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., which currently builds an alternative water source for the city’s future water needs.

Available to the public, the BEST Bus will operate daily on two downtown routes, through the major city centers, with bus stops every 400 meters along the way.

The BEST Bus rides may be accessed by the public for free via the BEST Pass on the GET Pass app, which is available for free download on Google Play and Apple App stores. QR Codes for the app are available on the BEST Bus and BEST Bus stops.