Davao City's free interim bus service passes 1.5 million passengers

Davao City's free Davao Interim Bus Service, known as DC Bus, has carried 1,555,453 passengers since it began operating, the city government said, citing figures as of October 31, 2026, according to Edge Davao.

The service, launched in December 2025 to give Dabawenyos free rides, had recorded 1,377,808 passengers from its first day through September 30, 2026. That means roughly 177,600 more riders used the buses in October alone.

Data from the DC Bus Office show that at least 56 percent of passengers rode the South Route. Route 103 (Toril-Roxas) and Route 403 (Mintal-Roxas) had the heaviest passenger volumes. Demand usually peaks at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The city currently runs 10 low-entry Yutong ZK6126HG buses, which are 12 metres long, air-conditioned and described as diesel/electric units. Each seats around 50 passengers and has extra standing room to handle peak-hour crowds. The buses run Monday to Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and serve 124 designated stops across the northern and southern parts of the city. Commuters can follow bus locations and their trips through the DC Bus Tracker.

The DC Bus is meant to supplement the existing Peak Hours Augmentation Bus System (PHABS) and public utility jeepneys rather than replace them.

The city has set aside P200 million under Supplemental Budget No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2026 to buy 20 electric buses, along with charging stations, depot facilities and garage infrastructure. Once these arrive, the planned fleet will grow to 30 buses, which the city said will allow the program to expand to more routes and improve reliability and access for commuters.