As part of its goal to make this freeport the first carbon-neutral economic zone in the country, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) began the dry run of its electric bus (e-bus) system on Monday.
According to the SBMA, the dry run will be implemented from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Sunday (Nov. 9), with the e-buses picking up and dropping off passengers at designated bus stops within the Central Business District. No fares will be collected during the dry run.
The key objectives of the activity are to check e-bus functionality and capacity under actual passenger conditions, assess compliance and operational aspects of charging stations and manpower, and conduct a time-and-motion study to determine average cycle duration and efficiency.
In May, 10 e-bus units acquired through Golden Asia Automotive Builders, Inc. and manufactured by Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Co. Ltd. were delivered to the freeport and have already undergone road testing.
SBMA also built fast electric vehicle charging stations (EVCs) at the motorpool area of its Maintenance and Transportation Department and installed another charging station-donated by the Department of Energy-along Argonaut Highway.
Aside from the EVCs, the agency allocated ?10 million for the rehabilitation of bus stops and terminals and the construction of new ones: eight around the Central Business District, 16 in the Cubi Area, six in theme park areas, 18 in the Binictican Housing area, and 10 in the Kalayaan Housing area. The project is expected to be completed by December this year.
The SBMA said it remains committed to reducing its carbon footprint, aiming for a 30-percent decrease in emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040