BALANGA CITY, Bataan — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officially welcomed the country’s first fleet of hybrid provincial passenger buses on Thursday, marking a significant shift toward greener public utility vehicles.
LTFRB Chairperson Vigor D. Mendoza II joined Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III for the launch of 10 hybrid units operated by Genesis Transport Service Inc. The new buses will ply the route between Balanga City and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
The introduction of these electrified vehicles is part of the broader Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). While much of the national conversation has focused on modernizing jeepneys, Chairperson Mendoza noted that the arrival of hybrid buses proves that the transition to eco-friendly transport is expanding to larger denominations of public travel.
“With the introduction of hybrid passenger buses, this is a very welcome development in our effort to modernize and improve our public transportation system,” Mendoza said. He added that the agency hopes this initiative will encourage other bus companies to invest in similar technology.
Governor Garcia highlighted the practical benefits for the province, noting that the additional bus services are essential to support the growing number of workers and investors in Bataan’s economic zones.
Beyond environmental protection, the shift offers significant operational advantages. According to the LTFRB, the energy consumption of one kilowatt on these hybrid buses is equivalent to one liter of diesel. With electricity costs ranging from ₱11 to ₱13.50 per kilowatt—compared to diesel prices often exceeding ₱50 per liter—operators stand to see a drastic reduction in fuel expenses and maintenance costs.
The move aligns with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez to modernize the country’s fleet to match international standards while reducing the carbon footprint of the transport sector.