MERGED: Cebu BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)

[slakker]

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kung madayon, tan-aw nako murag dugay pa ni... i hope i'm wrong...

[tolstoi]

according to this committe hearing last year, the Committee on Railways and Roro System already ok'd the implementation of Cebu LRT..but here's the catch (highlighted)...

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Cttee okays mass rail transit system in Cebu
Committee Source: RAILWAYS AND RO-RO SYSTEMS

TO ENSURE that the basic infrastructures keep pace with Cebu’s increasing population and fast-paced economic life, two measures proposing to establish a rail-based mass transit system in Cebu City and Metro Cebu were approved in principle by the Committee on Railways and Ro-Ro (Roll On Roll Off) Systems under Representative Augusto Baculio (2nd District, Misamis Oriental).

House Bills 56 and 3006, which the body agreed to consolidate, were filed respectively by Deputy Speaker Raul Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City) and Rep. Eduardo Gullas (1st District, Cebu). Both bills seek the construction and operation of a light rail transport (LRT) in Cebu City and Metro Cebu. The LRT is seen to address the worsening traffic situation in Cebu and improve the mobility of the greater majority of the people.

During the meeting of the Committee on the matter last week, Rep. Baculio said that Cebu might lose its attraction as the number one tourist destination if the worsening traffic situation in the area is not addressed.

A mass rail transit system will help solve the problem, he said, adding that this is a better option than roads.

Rep. Gullas expressed his hope that the LRT project would be started soon. “If there is any other metropolitan area (in the country) viable for mass railway transit, it is no other than Cebu,� he added. He said Cebu is the center of industry and trade, investment and tourism, as well as education and culture.

However, the chair informed the body that a public mass transportation system for Cebu City and Metro Cebu is not included in the Medium Term Public Investment Program for 2005-2010 of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

This, he said, was conveyed by Augusto Santos, secretary of NEDA’s socio-economic planning in a letter he sent to the Committee.

According to Santos, Phase I of the Cebu Light Rail Transport Project, which was approved by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of NEDA in 2000, was not considered for funding under the Japanese government’s Special Yen Loan Package (SYLP).

The project, he added, would have involved the construction of a 20.4-kilometer viaduct from Tabunok, Talisay City to Consolacion.

He added that in December 2002, the DOTC entered into a memorandum of agreement with AMA Group Holdings Corporation for the latter to conduct a feasibility study for the development of a rail transit system in Cebu at no cost to the government. The study will validate the previous study made that was the basis of the ICC’s approval of the project in 2000.

Reacting to the information, Rep. Gullas appealed to the body to convince NEDA to amend the Medium Term Public Investment Program to include the Cebu railway project. Otherwise, he said, the project would have to start after year 2010.

According to AMA’s representative, Steve Cases, who expounded on the study made on the railway project, the highest road traffic volume in Cebu is centered in the urban core of Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City. He said that Phase I of the Metro Cebu railway project, costing $636 million, would cover these places.

Cases said light rail transit has a clear advantage over road transportation within the urban core in terms of speed. Jeepneys within the central business district have average travel speed of only 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, while the proposed LRT type rail system will have an average travel speed of 30 to 35 kph.

Further, Cases said that while the project may be financed, either through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) or ExIm (German-based) funding, this is not advisable since the government needs to raise its counterpart fund. This may be difficult at this time given the country’s current fiscal condition, he explained.

Cases also said that the study revealed that sourcing the required counterpart funding from the private sector through a commercial loan is also not viable. In the same vein, allowing the private sector to finance the project 100 percent is also not viable, he added.

He said that while they are proposing that other sources of funds need to be explored to make the project viable, they are pushing for a 60-40 partnership venture, with the government infusing only 15 percent capital out of its 60 percent share and the rest would be taken from ODA. The 40 percent will be shouldered by the private sector, he said.

As to the type of train to be used, Herman Fiddler of Siemens Transportation System said that the train would look like a modern tramvia that is being used in Houston, Texas and San Diego, California.

In terms of fare, Juanito Ramos of AMA said that the fare for Cebu MRT would cost P1 for every kilometer. This means that the first phase that extends for about 20 kms. would be affordable to the public, he added.

When asked to comment, Renato Bañares of DOTC said that the department is currently undertaking a review of the feasibility study conducted by AMA. The provincial board of Cebu has passed a resolution endorsing the project, he added.

Rep. Baculio requested the proponents to submit to the Committee the proposal for a 60-40 partnership venture. He also asked the DOTC to submit its report as well as recommendations with regard to the proposed Cebu MRT project.

http://www.congress.gov.ph/committee...php?newsid=412

[arnoldsa]

As far as I can remember, this was what happened last year:

- The LRT for Cebu was already approved by congress;

- Funding will be from a Japanese loan;

- Unfortunately, the Cebu LRT was not included in the "mid-term plan" something proposals submitted by NEDA to the Japanese (for loan approval) Â*because when the proposals were drawn, the LRT project was not yet approved in Congress. Had it been approved earlier, then the Cebu LRT would have been included in the list of proposals that will be submitted to the Japanese and there's a possibility that the LRT project would start this year or early next year.

- Congressman Gullas asked NEDA to revise the proposal to be submitted to the Japanese so as to include the LRT Project because if the Cebu LRT will not be included, then this will have to wait I think for another three years when another list of proposals will be made again and submitted.

[tolstoi]

barato ra pud ang fare..P1.00 for every kilometer..so danao-cebu [32km] would only be P32.00..compare that to the V-HIRE fare which is currently at P40.00

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In terms of fare, Juanito Ramos of AMA said that the fare for Cebu MRT would cost P1 for every kilometer. This means that the first phase that extends for about 20 kms. would be affordable to the public, he added.

http://www.congress.gov.ph/committee...php?newsid=412

[tolstoi]

so far this is the latest Light Rail Vehicle model being purchased by Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA)..and hopefully we could expect this kind of coaches running in Cebu...in the near future :mrgreen:





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These 3rd generation trains will feature a lot of new safety features and will be more PWD (Passenger with Disability) friendly. Non skid rubber mattings, tie down points for passengers on wheelchair and strategically placed fire extinguishers are some of the features of these new trains. Train operators will likewise be treated to better ergonomically designed seats to reduced fatigue.

The new coaches will be fully air conditioned and will boost the current capacity of the Light Rail Transit Authority from the present 27,000 passengers per hour per direction (pphpd) to almost 40,000 pphpd.

http://www.lrta.gov.ph/press_release..._3rdGenLRV.htm

[slakker]

those are nice looking coaches... nice pics bai...

[brian_d]

Just as I thought, the investment cost is just too steep at $1B. Build more roads na lang as alternative to the main highways in Cebu to alleviate traffic.

[Ricky_Ro]

Hinay ra gihapon dagan sa LRT kay mag sunod man ug trisikad.. nyahahahahaha.. Ato sa na tangtangon ang trisikad para hapsay ato dalan. :mrgreen:

[tolstoi]

pugsit cguro ang trisikad bai kung mag atang-atang sa nag agunus nga train

[wAtSeR]

this is cool