Cebuanos can look forward to using a new public transport system before the end of 2021. The multi-billion peso Cebu Monorail Project is all set to help de-congest the worsening traffic conditions in the city, while providing a huge boost to the region’s economy.
During the recent inauguration of the new Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) building in Cebu, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade mentioned the need to improve and upgrade the public transport system in the city.
“We need to improve and modernize the public transport system of Cebu City and the Province of Cebu and in various places in Region 7,” Tugade had said, as cited in a report by the Philippine News Agency. He announced that project construction is set to begin in April, and partial operation of the Cebu Monorail can be expected before the end of the year.
Similarly, during last year’s Sinulog Festival, President Rodrigo Duterte had also mentioned that Cebu leadership should focus on building infrastructure and mass transport systems, in order to catch up with the city’s booming economic development.
What is the Cebu Monorail Project?
The Cebu Monorail Project is part of a planned inter-modal transport system that includes a monorail, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, and a cable car. With an indicative cost of PHP 77.57 billion, the project involves the construction of a 27-kilometre rail transit system.
Notably, the project is being implemented by the DOTr, in coordination with Udenna Infrastructure Corporation (UIC), a subsidiary of Udenna Corporation, which is part of the Davao-based Udenna Group of Companies founded by businessman Dennis Uy.
Aside from the Cebu Monorail Project, UIC has several other public-private partnership (PPP) proposals in the works. Among these are the Davao City Monorail, Davao Intermodal Transport Hub, Davao International Airport, Bacolod-Silay Airport, Poro Point Freeport Zone, Sasa Port Modernization Project, and other infrastructure projects nationwide.
Cebu Monorail Project Features
Spanning a 27-kilometre rail transit system, the Cebu Monorail Project will consist of two lines, the Cebu Central Line and Cebu Airport Line. It will also include a 5-hectare depot facility, to be situated near the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
The Project involves the construction/development of approximately 27-kilometer rail transit system composed of the following:
1. Cebu Central Line, a 17.7-kilometer elevated monorail transit system with 14 stations;
2. Cebu Airport Line, a 9.3-kilometer elevated monorail transit system six (6) stations; and
3. A 5-hectare depot facility to be located close to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
The Cebu Central Line is a 17.7-kilometre elevated monorail transit system, with 14 stations operating between Talisay City and Cebu City. Meanwhile, the Cebu Airport line is a 9.3-kilometre elevated monorail transit system, with 6 stations located between Cebu City and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Mactan Island.
With regard to passenger capacity, the Cebu Monorail is designed to accommodate 12,000 to 15,000 passengers per direction per hour — a big help to the city’s transport system, indeed!
Monorail, Not Light Rail Transit
The Cebu project would be a monorail and not a light rail transit (LRT) system. As the term implies, the system operates on a single rail, and is usually elevated. It is also more cost efficient and faster to build, yet offers the same passenger capacity and efficiency as a LRT.
Some good examples of monorails can be found in the Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United States, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Without a doubt, the Cebu Monorail Project will definitely enhance the public transport system in Cebu. It would certainly make a great addition to the “Beep” point-to-point (P2P) service that is currently in place. The monorail, along with the upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and cable car systems, would also play a major role in the city’s dynamic economy.
Photos: Cebu Monorail
Check out these screenshot pictures of how the Cebu Monorail will look like. These photos are rendered by Philtram Transportation Consortium Inc.
Video: Cebu Monorail Project
Check out this video uploaded by Philtram on their Facebook Page showcasing Philtram Transportation Consortium Inc.’s concept of the monorail in Cebu.
In case the video above does not work, here’s a clip below as uploaded on YouTube:
