DOTC undertakes study for metro mass transit

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2015/06/18/1467248/dotc-undertakes-study-metro-mass-transit
• Thursday, June 18, 2015 12:00 am

By Liv G. Campo / FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is glad that the proposal of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board to have a mass transit network in the metro area was adopted by the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Davide, who also chairs the MCDCB, said it is a welcome development that the DOTC agreed to undertake the feasibility study.

“Nalipay kaayo ta ana no. Finally, we are seeing the fruits of this… Dugay na gyud na pangandoy nga atimanon ang proposals,” Davide said yesterday during the board’s second quarterly meeting at the Capitol Social Hall.

The board also approved yesterday the “Roadmap Study for Sustainable Urban Development for Metro Cebu,” wherein the mass transit network is one of the flagship projects.

Domi Chua, chief operating officer of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., said DOTC’s participation is expected to hasten the implementation of this project.

She explained that DOTC will launch the feasibility study to find out which transport system works best for areas in Metro Cebu, whether it is an automated guided transit like in Japan, a Light Rail Transit, Metro Rail Transit or a Bus Rapid Transit.

“We need to establish that study first. They (DOTC) have already agreed that they are going to do the feasibility study, what transport system (suits) for Metro Cebu,” she said.

She said that DOTC accepted the terms of reference for the study during the meeting with MCDCB members last March. The budget for the study will be included in the 2016 national budget.

“Once we have the study already, implement na,” she said.

The study aims to give a long-term mass transit network in Metro Cebu.

She said Japan International Cooperation Agency, which already submitted its own study, recommended that an AGT, a driverless train running on a “guideway,” for example, is a suitable transportation mode for Mactan area to Mandaue City, while an MRT is for a larger scope, like, from Danao City to Cebu City, or Carcar City to Cebu City.

The MCDCB is targeting to start implementing the project in 2020.