The Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc., which has been operating in Visayas and Mindanao, will now also serve commuters to and from Marawi City.
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will set up more “friendship routes” in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said this after the launch of the Davao-Marawi route for public utility vehicles (PUV) on Wednesday, February 23.
"We have talked initially with Marawi City Mayor Gandamra about these partnerships, and now we can see that [there is heavy] traffic, and it's not just about traffics, we are also going to improve the routes (for PUVs)," he said.
Fifteen Mindanao Star buses can now ply the Davao-Maramag-Talakag-Cagayan-Iligan-Marawi route, one of the three inter-regional routes now operating in BARMM.
The other two routes are Iligan City - Lanao del Norte - Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and General Santos - Dipolog via Cotobato.
Fare prices range from P 797 to P 948 from Davao City to Marawi City, and a travel time around 10 to 15 hours, based on the standard PUV speed of 80 kph.
Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra said the friendship route and the PUVs is a great opportunity to serve the riding public with more accessible, affordable, and convenient transport.
"This does not only connect two cities but it connects different provinces and different regions. It connects economies, industries and most importantly it connects the lives of our constituents," he said.
In a video message during the launch, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new inter-regional routes will spur economies as it will open up commerce and trade in the areas.
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