Drawing stares and curious looks from motorists and commuters, the seven units of Business for Environmentally Sustainable Transformation (BEST) buses are now running the streets of Davao City.

Decked with motifs of native avian and marine species found in Davao City, the BEST buses are fully air-conditioned electric buses that each has a capacity of 30 passengers. However, due to social distancing requires to control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, the capacity of the buses is limited to 15 people.

The buses are also friendly to senior citizens and persons with disability (PWD) friendly as it features an electric ramp and space for PWDs.

Each bus is also equipped with GPS where the locations of the buses are monitored real-time, CCTV and QR scanners which can be used for contact tracing.

The seven units BEST buses is a partnership of the local government of Davao City, Davao Light and Power Company  and GET (Global Electric Transport).

“This partnership is truly a welcome initiative as it is inline with the local government efforts more efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation options for the riding public,” Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said during the signing of the agreement for the project last December 11.

Also signing the agreement was Davao Light and Power Company Chief Operating Officer (COO) Rodger Velasco.

“We would want the people of Davao to have an alternative way of commuting and ease in transportation system, this is the goal of the BEST bus project,” Velasco said.

The Davao Light COO said the BEST bus is a pioneering and innovative concept that will start change the way people think and do and make the city a better place to live in.

The BEST bus rides are free to the public via the BEST Pass, which can be accessed on the GET Pass App (downloadable on Google Play and Apple App Stores). QR codes for the app are available on the bus and the BEST bus stops.

The BEST bus will be running in two downtown routes:

Down Town Ikot 1 (North Loop) will traverse from C. Bangoy St., to Rizal St., Bolton St., Magallanes St., C.M. Recto, Acacia, Bajada, SM Lanang, Azuela Cove, R. Castillo, Carpenter, Sta. Ana Ave., and back to C. Bangoy St.

Down Town Ikot 2 (South Loop) will traverse from C. Bangoy St., to Palma Gil St., Camus, Quirino, Bankerohan, Sandawa, Quimpo Blvd., Ecoland Drive, Times Beach, Ecowest, Quimpo, Sandawa, Bankerohan, Magallanes, Boulevard, R. Magsaysay and back to C. Bangoy.

Sabin Aboitiz, the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Aboitiz Group (of which Davao Light is a subsidiary) said the Aboitiz Group has a long and deep story with Davao City starting with the groundbreaking Davao City 911 emergency response system, the Cleanergy Park biodiversity sanctuary, and the Apo Agua bulk water project.

“The Aboitiz Group continues to be committed to supporting Davao City’s economic growth and economic development,” Aboitiz said.

The Aboitiz Group CEO said the BEST Bus promotes the mindset of Be Green (use of environmentally friendly vehicles), Be Digital (use of technology that adapts to the demand of the new normal and Be Kind (tapping social organizations to promote social good). CURRENTPH