Monorail transport pushed in lieu of BRT

CEBU, Philippines - A research and development company is asking authority from the Cebu City government to conduct a feasibility study on elevated multi-functional monorail mass transport system in the city.

Maglev Vision Corporation is proposing a hybrid elevated monorail mass transport system which the company's chief architect, Jose Guardo Jr., claimed to be more effective in addressing traffic congestion rather than the Bus Rapid Transit and the Hybrid Bus Train proposed by the Department of Science and Technology. The feasibility would cost P50 million.

 "This will be the first Elevated Monorail Maglev System that is multi-functional where the same elevated monorail network can be used for mass transportation during peak hours of weekdays, Scenic City Loop ride for tourist and the possibility to use the same monorail loop to boost local, national, and international tourism," Guardo said.

 Guardo said his group is requesting the authority of the city government to conduct the feasibility study and develop some scaled prototypes. It also wants the city government to provide them with a test line to conduct research and development and testing of the technology.

Mayor Michael Rama said he is not totally agreeable to the proposal, saying it might block Cebu's scenic views.

 "Dili ingon nga dili pwede, but I need to be convinced where it will pass through," Rama clarified.

 However, Guardo said the elevated Maglev Monorail is "easier to build" and it occupies one-square meter center island column or post which will not hamper and disturb traffic flow during construction compared to BRT that would occupy the "real state road network" and a lot more expensive costing P315 million per kilometer. 

 "The precast pre-stressed I-Beam is only .60 meter in width, .80 meter thick with hollow core making it light weight and easy to install using specialized cranes and shall be installed only at night. Building the network of monorail system will not at all affect the traffic operation of the city," Guardo said, stressing that an elevated light rail transit or metro rail transit is ideal for Cebu.

 The proposed transit would have a standard of three-couch that can accommodate at least 60 individuals. It has a maximum speed of 120 kilometers an hour.

 This mass transport system has been used in Manila and some cities in central Luzon.

 According to Guardo, the BRT will not solve the city's traffic problem but instead "it offers more problems than solutions. The cost of widening will be very prohibitive and will affect perhaps a lot of narrow roads and or possible historic landmarks along the route."

 "When the tires of the BRT and the Hybrid Bus Train get flat tire, there will be a domino effect on the road traffic chain," he said.

 The Maglev Vision Corporation is an innovative and dynamic company that is focused on the research and design development of its propriety and patented magnetic levitation and propulsion technologies attaining efficient and frictionless system.  (FREEMAN)