Public Transport Guide
Navigate like a local: multicabs, jeepneys, tricycles, and habal-habal
Local Travel Etiquette
Critical: Always clarify if you are paying for a "Regular" (shared) or "Special" (private) trip before boarding tricycles or habal-habal to avoid fare disputes. Shared rides are significantly cheaper but may take longer with multiple stops.
Multicab
Capacity: 12-16 passengers
Primary intra-provincial transport connecting town centers and serving intra-municipal routes within Davao de Oro.
Fare Guide
Minimum fare ₱13-15, incremental increases based on distance. Frequency: Every 15 minutes between Compostela and Nabunturan.
Tips
- •Unlike Davao City, multicabs typically lack clear route signs
- •Ask locals or drivers directly about destinations
- •Flag down from roadside or wait at known pickup points
Jeepney
Capacity: 16-20 passengers
Regular jeepney routes connect municipalities to Nabunturan (provincial capital). Standard starting fares are ₱13-15 for minimum fare.
Fare Guide
Minimum ₱13-15 (first 4 km), then ₱1.80 per km. 20% discount for seniors, PWDs, students with valid ID.
Tips
- •Specific route numbers not formally designated
- •Rely on destination boards or verbal confirmation with drivers
- •Have exact change ready (drivers don't always have change for large bills)
Tricycle
Capacity: 3-5 passengers
Three configurations in Davao region: side-cab, center-cab, and open cab. Regulated by municipal LGUs, not LTFRB.
Fare Guide
Base ₱10-20 (short shared rides), Special/private trip ~9x regular fare (₱30-100+), Hourly rental ₱100-200/hr.
Tips
- •Look for fare matrix posted inside the sidecar (required by LGU regulation)
- •Specify "shared" (cheaper) vs "special" (private, more expensive) before boarding
- •Agree on fare BEFORE boarding to avoid disputes
- •Ask at tricycle queues/terminals for posted rates
Habal-habal
Capacity: 1-2 passengers
Motorcycle taxis serving remote/mountainous areas inaccessible to larger vehicles. In Monkayo, locally called "skylab" - motorcycles with extended wooden seats.
Fare Guide
Minimum shared ₱10-20, Remote destinations ₱80-200 one-way, Charter/pakyaw ₱200-600 round-trip (negotiated).
Tips
- •⚠️ NO passenger insurance coverage (not legally authorized as public transport)
- •Hold onto seat or cargo for balance on rough terrain
- •Avoid travel during heavy rain or darkness
- •Not recommended if uncomfortable with motorcycles on steep terrain
- •Essential for waterfalls like Awao Falls (₱400-600 roundtrip charter)
Important Safety Information
- • Habal-habal Insurance: These are not legally authorized public transport vehicles and have NO passenger insurance coverage
- • Fare Matrix Authority: Tricycle fares are regulated by each Municipal LGU, NOT LTFRB. Contact Municipal Hall for official rates
- • Bargain Before Boarding: Always agree on the fare before starting your trip to avoid disputes
- • Keep Valuables Secure: Hold bags/phones securely, especially on crowded jeepneys and multicabs
Official Fare Regulations
Important: Tricycle Fares
Per official LTFRB response (June 2023), tricycles are NOT under LTFRB jurisdiction - they are franchised and regulated by Local Government Units. Contact each Municipal Hall for official fare matrices.
Jeepney Fares (Davao Region)
Effective October 2023