CEBU CITY – The city government of Lapu-Lapu has entered into an agreement with a company for the conduct of a feasibility study for a mass transport system project in the city.
OFFICIALS from Lapu-Lapu City headed by Mayor Junard Chan (fourth from left) and Futran Philippines sign a memorandum of understanding for the conduct of a feasibility study for a mass transport system in the city. (Contributed photo)
In the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Chan and Futran Philippines President Jose Christopher Fornier signed on Thursday, May 11, the project will be at no cost to the city.
The feasibility would cost between P5 million and P10 million.
The proposed transport network system will utilize existing and secondary roads instead of the busy main thoroughfares.
"The city’s traffic congestion and increasing working population make the demand for a mass transit system, or 'people mover project,' and its project components an imperative and urgent concern of the city," a portion of the MOU said.
Futran is a company involved in transportation and public utility services.
"We are one of the fastest-growing cities in the Philippines, so we need to upgrade our transportation system, especially for public transportation," said Chan.
According to Fornier, the feasibility study would consider monorail, light rail, or personal rapid transit systems that incorporate the "green concept."
During the signing of MOU, Fornier was with Andres Low, who claims to be the inventor of a transport system that can navigate small streets and is powered by "green energy."
Low explained that the proposed transport system would use the existing road network but would be elevated above the road, eliminating the need for land expropriation for road right-of-way.
He mentioned that the transportation system would be powered by electricity, resulting in lower travel costs.
Low added that they would utilize sunlight to generate electricity for running the transportation system, leading to cost reduction and increased efficiency.
"People can travel at 60 to 70 kilometers per hour at any time of the day at a low cost," Low told reporters.
Fornier acknowledged that the streets of Lapu-Lapu are narrow, making it impossible for a monorail to navigate them.
"We need to identify a transport system that can operate on secondary streets," Fornier said.
Futran is expected to submit the result of its study and recommendations for implementation within eight months to a year.