PH’s only double-deck buses to ply CDO-Bukidnon route

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the operation of the country’s only double-deck buses by a transport company plying the route between this city and Bukidnon.

Approved as substitute to old units of Pabama Bus Liner, the two doubledecker buses have a sitting capacity of 74 passengers each and, upon inspection by LTFRB personnel, led by Regional Director Aminoden Guro, on Monday, has been categorized as "premium bus."

"This is one of those that fall under the transportation modernization program of the national government, and the region's pride, particularly Cagayan de Oro City, having the first in the Philippines a double-decker," Guro said.

Guro said the buses have been tested for safety with road test runs in Manila, Baguio and Antipolo.

Jonathan Jantay, sales-marketing personnel of the bus distributor, Durabus, said that several test runs have already been made to and from Bukidnon, aside from training drivers on how to handle the double-decker buses.

Guro said the buses are currently being used in Chile where the roads are more sloped compared to Bukidnon.

"These buses are categorized Euro 5, not just Euro 4, due to its compliance with standards. The buses have cctv, wifi, GPS and voice sensor, with speed limiter that automatically slows down the vehicle when it reached the set speed limit of 80 km/hour," said Guro.

"The 420HP-engine bus is worth P16 million. It is tri-axle and can safely maneuver Bukidnon's slopes which is at more than 1,000 feet above sea level, way below the 10,000 above sea level these type of bus travels from Chile to Ecuador, border-to-border, and with anti-stability system," Juntay said.

The speed can also be auto locked to run at a steady pace, he added.

"These buses are very welcome here as part of the modernization program, Guro said. Although there is memorandum order that primary or premium buses, like these can increase the regular fare by, at least, 25 percent, which is equivalent to P2.50," Guro said.

FIRST IN PH – Photo shows one of two Pabama Bus Liner double-decker buses, which have capacity of 74 passengers each and which are the only one of their kind operating in the Philippines, that will ply the Cagayan de Oro-Bukidnon route. (Camcer Ordonez...