Hybrid train to start test operation soon

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Transportation Office is now working on the operating schedules and identification of potential stations or stopping areas of the hybrid electric road train after Mayor Tomas Osmeña has approved the route.

The electric road train will be tested for one year in the route – Fuente Osmeña to Osmeña Boulevard, left turn to P. del Rosario St., then to Imus New Road, right turn to Gen. Maxilom Extension, right turn to S. Osmeña Avenue, right turn to Commerce Street, right turn to Benedicto Street, left turn to Gen. Maxilom Extension, left turn to Imus New Road, straight to P. del Rosario Street, proceed to N. Bacalso Avenue, right turn to V. Rama Avenue, right turn to B. Rodriguez St., then back to Fuente.

"Mao na ang recommendation sa technical nga expert sa traffic. Sila mo-evaluate sa impact sa traffic," Osmeña said.

The mayor said the road testing will be done within one month or two weeks after all aspects will be in place like the stopping area of the train and the schedules.

CCTO head Rafael Yap said Osmeña gave the go signal on the routes last Tuesday.

Yap said the public can use the kind of transportation for free once the schedules of trips and stopping areas are finalized. The hybrid electric road train with five coaches arrived last month.

Yap said they have recommended the route since there are no public transports servicing the passengers from North Reclamation Area passing along New Imus Road to P. Del Rosario then going to V. Rama Avenue.

"At the most, stops will be placed where minimal ang impact sa traffic. The route was chosen na minimal ra ang impact sa public transpo," he said.

In 2015, representatives of the city government and the Department of Science and Technology signed a memorandum of understanding to address the concern on urbanized metropolis, specifically traffic congestion, through the introduction of a hybrid electric road train.

Under the MOA, Yap said the city government will test the hybrid train for one year.

During the testing, he said the city will also market the vehicle to interested local manufacturers and suppliers. He said the CCTO will announce the schedules of the testing next week.

"Not focusing on the traffic congestion because that will always be there. Rather it’s more important to measure how many people may benefit from the project and the promotion of Filipino technology," Yap said. (FREEMAN)