Ferliza C. Contratista
CEBU CITY, May 6 (PIA ) -- Cebu is set to adapt hybrid
electric road train as part of its intermodal mass transport system.
Recently, the City Government of Cebu signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the testing
and possible use of hybrid electric road trains in the city.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the hybrid electronic road train
will fit well in the direction of the City which is for a low maintenance
and environmentally-safe mass transport system.
“We want a system that is not going to destroy the city’s skyline,
heritage areas and most importantly, the environment,” Rama said.
President Benigno Aquino III had already approved the Bus Rapid
Transit System on the first year of his administration.
DOST Regional Dir. Mario Montejo said the signing of the MOU
is a clear manifestation of the city’s sincerity in addressing traffic
and sound urban planning.
“There has been a lot of positive development in Aquino’s term,
specifically in the field of research and development, and the hybrid
electronic train as a mass transport system is one,” Montejo said.
The system is DOST’s answer to the mass transportation dilemma in
metro roads.
It is a 40-meter long train-like bus designed by Filipino
engineers and made with locally available parts.
The road train is composed of five interconnected fully air
conditioned coaches.
The first four coaches can accommodate 60 passengers each or a
total of 240 commuters for every ride. The last coach is the power coach.
“Kaya pala gawin ng Pilipino ang train.. kaya natin ang mass
transport system na atin,” Montejo said.
Atty. Rafael Yap of Cebu Integrated Traffic Management Office
(CITOM) said the City has a Metro Cebu Public Transport Strategic Plan
which the hybrid electric train system complements.
“It is a seamless intermodal public transport system which is
anchored on low carbon technology and is of high capacity,” Yap said.
The first unit will be tested in Cebu before the end of this
year. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)