Cable car plans gain ground

Metro Manila, Baguio eyed as initial sites

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s plan of putting cable car lines as an alternative mode of transportation in the country is gaining ground, with Metro Manila and Baguio seen as initial sites.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said talks between him and a businessman who owns a chain of malls for a cable car system are ongoing, while a French government-funded feasibility study is nearing completion.

Aside from extending a P27 million grant to fund a feasibility study for an urban cable car project in Metro Manila, the French government has also expressed interest in building the cable car project, according to Tugade.

“They have expressed interest in participating in both feasibility and building,” Tugade said.

“I insisted that they find a local partner. They should look for one because I don’t want to recommend,” he said.

Tugade said among the areas being eyed for the cable car system are Baguio and the Pasig River “as long as security of the (Malacañang) Palace is addressed.”

The DOTr, with the help of the French government, jumpstarted in November last year the feasibility study for an urban cable car project in Metro Manila.

As the grantor, the French government is looking at an urban area for the cable car project’s pilot implementation.

“My target is to finalize the feasibility by the end of this year,” Tugade said.

Meanwhile, the DOTr has also initiated a possible collaboration with a businessman for the use of the latter’s mall chain to develop a cable car system that would help ease road congestion in Metro Manila.

“Discussions are ongoing, but no agreement has been reached yet. If we connect malls via cable, is there a need for right of way? None. It’s through air, so it’s a new concept,” he said.

Tugade said earlier he is in talks with a businessman for the development of a cable car system connected through malls in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Alabang.

A cable car system is among the projects being pushed by the DOTr as an alternative transport option in the country.

The agency, however, said a cable car system would not be the ultimate solution, but is part of a basket of solutions seen by the government to help address worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.