Monorail transport pushed in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - A new transport system is being proposed to complement the anticipated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Cebu City.

In an executive session last week, the City Council has asked Jose Guardo of Maglev Vision Corporation, the inventor of the so-called Mixed-Use, Multi-Functional Elevated Maglev Monorail, to submit a formal proposal to the City Council.Guardo said the monorail is cheaper than the conventional train and will complement the BRT system once the latter is in place.

 “Naay conductor sa rail. Wala’y kinahanglan nga kuryente – gliding (through the magnet),” he said.

 “Mura siyag train pero naglutaw.Non-contact siya. Bale naay magnet niya naay conductor, sa rail ubos sa rail naay mga magnets (that will help the train to run),” he added. He said the transport system can last for 100 years with lesser cost of maintenance.

 “Unlike anang conventional nga rail nga mo-last 10 to 20 years, you need to replace. Atong problem, in 20 years, wala na. This can operate maybe in 100 years,” he said.

 The transport system can reportedly accommodate at least 60 passengers with the standard of three-couch and can travel at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers an hour.

 Based on earlier reports, Mayor Michael Rama is not to keen on the proposal, by far, as the infrastructure that needs to be built to support it will block the city’s scenic views.

“Dili ingon nga dili pwede but I need to be convinced where it will pass (through),” Rama said.(FREEMAN)