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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Mandaue inks MOA for feasibility study of podcar transport project

Mandaue inks MOA for feasibility study of podcar transport project

Published Mar 21, 2023 04:34 am
CEBU CITY – A mobility company that introduces green concept has partnered with the city government of Mandaue for the feasibility study of an environmentally friendly mass transport system project.
VINCENT Tan (from left), regional vice president of Greater China and Asia Pacific for Rail/Future Mobility Solutions, Futran Philippines President Jose Christopher ‘Joey’ Fornier II, and Atty. August Lizer Malate, Mayor Jonas Cortes’ executive secretary, sign a memorandum of understanding for the feasibility study of a mass transport system project in Mandaue City. (Photo via Calvin D. Cordova)

Futran Philippines Inc., a company that will build the first podcars in the country, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Mandaue for the feasibility study. The agreement was sealed by Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes and Futran Philippines President Jose Christopher "Joey" Fornier II. "Mandaue is one of the cities in the country that is a green city, meaning a city that is sustainable and also very progressive. We are privileged that Mayor Jonas agreed to this green concept of a people mover project as we are looking forward to this proof of concept to be the future of transportation in the country," said Fornier. The Futran transport system is a state-of-the-art automated, low-cost mass transportation system for people and goods. "As mayor of Mandaue City, I am excited to announce our partnership with Futran Philippines for the feasibility study of the first-ever people mover project in the country," said Cortes. Cortes added that Mandaue, being a green city, is committed to sustainable and progressive development "which is why we have agreed to explore this environment-friendly mass transport system project." "I am looking forward to seeing this proof of concept as the future of transportation in the country, which will also help minimize traffic congestion in busy, progressive streets like those of Mandaue City. I am proud that Mandaue City is at the forefront of introducing green mobility solutions in the Philippines, and I am excited to see the results of the feasibility study," added Cortes. Not new to transportation systems, the concept of suspended, elevated transport has been well proven and reliable and has been used in countries like Germany, Japan, and China. "The first suspended transport system in the world was completed in 1901 in Wuppertal, Germany and is still running with a daily ridership of 82,000 passengers," said the president of Futran Philippines, adding that their company simply modernized the system using much improved modern manufacturing, control, and construction techniques and technologies. The safety and reliability of the Futran transport system will be managed by Germany’s TUV Rheinland, a world-renowned technical service provider and certification body. Amongst other such systems, TUV Rheinland was and still is involved in the Wuppertal Schwebebahn system. "Suspended systems have not been popular globally due to its relatively high costs and system complexity. And this is where the Futran system comes in with a low cost yet simple model that is even safer than its predecessors. TUV Rheinland will make sure of it,” said Vincent Tan, regional vice president of Greater China and Asia Pacific for Rail/Future Mobility Solutions. The Futran podcar system is a suspended automated transit network with vehicle capacities of up to 20 passengers that run on-demand as opposed to on schedule. "The system does not interfere with the existing traffic below and can easily blend into the city," said Fornier. "Because the track is elevated, people and animal movement on the ground can continue. The new track is supplied in modular components for quick assembly and erecting using basic tools and machinery that is readily available and cost-effective." Since it is a 100 percent green concept, solar energy will be used to energize and power the system. Solar panels will be deployed on top of every beam that will serve to power every podcar. "The tracks are suspended from the beams, the pods do not run on top of them, so the space above the beams are available for solar panels," added the president of Futran Philippines.

Related Tags

Mandaue City mass transportation system Podcar Futran transport system Feasibility study
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