Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

[mygz14]

RP's 9th LRT system eyed for Cebu
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2007 | TRANSPORTATION


MANILA (PNA) - If plans don't miscarry, Cebu will soon have a modern, efficient and reliable light rail transit (LRT) system to keep pace with rapid population growth and economic expansion.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas has filed House Bill 310, seeking the establishment of the province's first LRT system, in order to ease heavy motor vehicle traffic congestion in one of the country's fastest-growing urban hubs.

"There is no question Cebu desperately needs a fast, safe, convenient and economical LRT system," Gullas, a former Cebu provincial governor, said.

"This is the best time for the government to invest in a new LRT system for Cebu, with the peso strengthening against the US dollar," Gullas said.

"Two years ago, it would have cost us P55 billion to put together a US$ 1-billion LRT system. Now, it would cost us only P46 billion to put up the same project," he added.

Gullas' initiative came as the national government prepared to reinforce Cebu's infrastructure support under the Central Philippines Investment Program.

Under the program, Malacañang approved some P60.8-billion worth of fresh public infrastructure spending for Cebu up to 2010.

Of the amount, more than half or P33 billion would be initially allocated for the proposed Metro Cebu Mass Transportation System (MCMTS), thus matching Gullas' initiative.

The MCMTS involves the construction of a modern railway network from Talisay City to the Municipality of Consolacion for the first phase, and from Talisay to Carcar City and Consolacion to Danao City for the second phase.

The system would be the country's ninth and the first outside Metro Manila, which now has eight LRT channels that are either fully operational, under construction, or in the drawing boards.

Under Gullas' bill, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) would be required to prepare and execute a plan to establish and operate the new LRT system.

The DOTC actually already has an initial plan to build a US$ 1-billion LRT system for Metro Cebu.

The department earlier forged a build-operate-transfer agreement with the AMA Group of Holdings Corp. for the construction of a 71-kilometer, three-phased LRT system that would run through Metro Cebu from Carcar in the south to Danao in the north.

However, project execution has been stalled, as the DOTC has found it difficult to get lower offers from other private contractors.

Meanwhile, the Central Philippines Investment Program also includes P18.88 billion for Cebu's seaports; P6.3 billion for Central Visayas' roads and bridges; P1.9 billion for the region's tourism infrastructure; and P749 million for airports. (PNA)

DCT/PR/rsm

[chocolato1000]

Originally Posted by mygz14

RP's 9th LRT system eyed for Cebu
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2007 | TRANSPORTATION


MANILA (PNA) - If plans don't miscarry, Cebu will soon have a modern, efficient and reliable light rail transit (LRT) system to keep pace with rapid population growth and economic expansion.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas has filed House Bill 310, seeking the establishment of the province's first LRT system, in order to ease heavy motor vehicle traffic congestion in one of the country's fastest-growing urban hubs.

"There is no question Cebu desperately needs a fast, safe, convenient and economical LRT system," Gullas, a former Cebu provincial governor, said.

"This is the best time for the government to invest in a new LRT system for Cebu, with the peso strengthening against the US dollar," Gullas said.

"Two years ago, it would have cost us P55 billion to put together a US$ 1-billion LRT system. Now, it would cost us only P46 billion to put up the same project," he added.

Gullas' initiative came as the national government prepared to reinforce Cebu's infrastructure support under the Central Philippines Investment Program.

Under the program, Malacañang approved some P60.8-billion worth of fresh public infrastructure spending for Cebu up to 2010.

Of the amount, more than half or P33 billion would be initially allocated for the proposed Metro Cebu Mass Transportation System (MCMTS), thus matching Gullas' initiative.

The MCMTS involves the construction of a modern railway network from Talisay City to the Municipality of Consolacion for the first phase, and from Talisay to Carcar City and Consolacion to Danao City for the second phase.

The system would be the country's ninth and the first outside Metro Manila, which now has eight LRT channels that are either fully operational, under construction, or in the drawing boards.

Under Gullas' bill, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) would be required to prepare and execute a plan to establish and operate the new LRT system.

The DOTC actually already has an initial plan to build a US$ 1-billion LRT system for Metro Cebu.

The department earlier forged a build-operate-transfer agreement with the AMA Group of Holdings Corp. for the construction of a 71-kilometer, three-phased LRT system that would run through Metro Cebu from Carcar in the south to Danao in the north.

However, project execution has been stalled, as the DOTC has found it difficult to get lower offers from other private contractors.

Meanwhile, the Central Philippines Investment Program also includes P18.88 billion for Cebu's seaports; P6.3 billion for Central Visayas' roads and bridges; P1.9 billion for the region's tourism infrastructure; and P749 million for airports. (PNA)

DCT/PR/rsm

nice one.

AMA's building it? AMA the IT school? never thought they had a construction unit. good luck then.

hope the planners plan it well, and learn from the chaotic LRT system of MM.

i heard that cebu is revising its old zoning plan. good news indeed.

[LordCarnal]

Hehehe, I've read this kind of news ever since I was high school.

I hope it will push through.

[Raven83]

Oo nga,Erap's time yata yun when Cebu mass transit sytem was planned along with Davao LRT. Alam ko kasi there has been groups in Cebi dati that was Pushing for a Curitiba like rapid bus sytem for Cebu(kamukha rin siya ng transjakarta) when the supposed five year ODA planned loan was being outlined. Nagkanda letche letche yata yung initial plan na yun because the Engineers and the politicians can't decide on the actual designs and cost of the project proposals..hayun napurnada!

[hiiamdib]

good news indeed, cebu deserves the LRT!!!! massive decetralization is need by putting infras outside MM

[ikra]

hope it would be even more grand than anywhere else in pinas. Although, underground trains i think are cooler... but i think more expensive to set up

[AH-7Raja]

the best ever news so far i heard this year.

[midwestguy1]

It would be awesome if there would be LRT around cebu. Hopefully the whole contry will also be served by rail system as I think it is more convinient and cheaper for the masses...

[Wind Shear]

It's about time!

[wheel of steel]

Yeah! Im very glad to see Cebu City's first LRT System and also at least one heavy rail system running the whole stretch of Cebu Province that will serve both passengers and especially freight and cargo service..

[eonynx]

i've read about this news today! very nice indeed!

[rage@cebu]

Originally Posted by mygz14

RP's 9th LRT system eyed for Cebu
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2007 | TRANSPORTATION


MANILA (PNA) - If plans don't miscarry, Cebu will soon have a modern, efficient and reliable light rail transit (LRT) system to keep pace with rapid population growth and economic expansion.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas has filed House Bill 310, seeking the establishment of the province's first LRT system, in order to ease heavy motor vehicle traffic congestion in one of the country's fastest-growing urban hubs.

"There is no question Cebu desperately needs a fast, safe, convenient and economical LRT system," Gullas, a former Cebu provincial governor, said.

"This is the best time for the government to invest in a new LRT system for Cebu, with the peso strengthening against the US dollar," Gullas said.

"Two years ago, it would have cost us P55 billion to put together a US$ 1-billion LRT system. Now, it would cost us only P46 billion to put up the same project," he added.

Gullas' initiative came as the national government prepared to reinforce Cebu's infrastructure support under the Central Philippines Investment Program.

Under the program, Malacañang approved some P60.8-billion worth of fresh public infrastructure spending for Cebu up to 2010.

Of the amount, more than half or P33 billion would be initially allocated for the proposed Metro Cebu Mass Transportation System (MCMTS), thus matching Gullas' initiative.

The MCMTS involves the construction of a modern railway network from Talisay City to the Municipality of Consolacion for the first phase, and from Talisay to Carcar City and Consolacion to Danao City for the second phase.

The system would be the country's ninth and the first outside Metro Manila, which now has eight LRT channels that are either fully operational, under construction, or in the drawing boards.

Under Gullas' bill, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) would be required to prepare and execute a plan to establish and operate the new LRT system.

The DOTC actually already has an initial plan to build a US$ 1-billion LRT system for Metro Cebu.

The department earlier forged a build-operate-transfer agreement with the AMA Group of Holdings Corp. for the construction of a 71-kilometer, three-phased LRT system that would run through Metro Cebu from Carcar in the south to Danao in the north.

However, project execution has been stalled, as the DOTC has found it difficult to get lower offers from other private contractors.

Meanwhile, the Central Philippines Investment Program also includes P18.88 billion for Cebu's seaports; P6.3 billion for Central Visayas' roads and bridges; P1.9 billion for the region's tourism infrastructure; and P749 million for airports. (PNA)

DCT/PR/rsm

better if they build a superhighway from Daan BANTAYAN to Santander... i can't find any economic benefits Cebu will get from the LRT system because it is only station to station (only benefits Metro Cebu) and Cebu's ridership is very small (the system will be bankrupt)...

we must cut travel time going to other parts of the island to entice more investors because these is what we really need... if ever we want Cebu to be progressive we must also invest our money wisely and not just waste it just for the sake of having a system that doesn't work... let us government closer to the people in the whole island.

[midwestguy1]

You've got a point there Rage-Cebu. Actually, the Whole Philippines needs to have a real superhighway or atleast a good rail system from North to south if they can possibly do that.

[Sinjin P.]

For the railway system to be a wise investment, the northern and southern tips should be connected to the other Visayan islands.

[rage@cebu]

Originally Posted by Jhaelnis

For the railway system to be a wise investment, the northern and southern tips should be connected to the other Visayan islands.

we don't need a rail system sinj... not everyone can use the system, there are a lot of feasible means to transport goods and people from one place to another, and in the case of Cebu were goods are transported in a specific place and not just a station... freight trucks, buses and cars are the common types of transport which are ideal to an island province like ours...

haven't we learned from manila? the MRT/LRT system is not even earning, how much more here in Cebu... we must look further, take for example Germany's autobahn and USA Inter-state highways... they are the backbone of their economies...

as i have said before, we must not waste people's money on systems that won't work... we need to fully utilize our resources on something that everyone can use feasibly, economically, and suitable to our needs.

the highway system could be the backbone for Cebu's economic growth as we pursue to become the only Province-wide economic zone.

[great184]

And on a 46 billion budget... imagine how many kilometers of highways could be built on that budget.

[chocolato1000]

wow somebody even propose building a tube.

why don't we build quality road first? expressways and bridges.

[mygz14]

I think trains and other mass transport systems are better investments rather than building very expensive highways

[chocolato1000]

Originally Posted by mygz14

I think trains and other mass transport systems are better investments rather than building very expensive highways

not really, just look at the MRT projects in manila. it eats millions of subsidies in a day. poor filipino taxpayers. man, you don't call that better investment do you?

it's much better that the government is tying with private sectors under the BTO scheme. just look at the quality service they provide at NLEX.

[dodong]

Originally Posted by mygz14

I think trains and other mass transport systems are better investments rather than building very expensive highways

i agree with you. highways don't last long in the philippines...and we all know why.