Land transport improvements prioritized in 2015—DOTC

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will focus on improvements for the land transportation sector next year, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said on Thursday.
 

"We look forward to more airport accomplishments in 2015, but we will give special attention to much-needed upgrades for land transportation next year, especially for our rail lines," Abaya said in a statement.

 

In a text message to GMA News Online, DOTC spokesman Michael Arthur Sagcal said the improvement projects include the rehabilitation and rail replacements of Light Rail Transit 1, Light Rail Transit 2, and Metro Rail Transit Line 3.

 

Hong Kong-based railway operator MTR Corporation has warned of the possibility of train derailment resulting in "substantial casualties" if the tracks of MRT-3 were not immediately replaced. 

 

The planned upgrades also include the start of MRT 7, LRT 1 Cavite Extension and LRT 2 Masinag Extension, he said.

 

Sagcal said the department was planning to start the bus and taxi reform programs, jeepney modernization program, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.

 

DOTC is developing the country’s first BRT system for Cebu. It is targeted to be implemented in "heavily-congested corridors" in Metro Manila, including the Quezon City Hall-Manila City Hall route via Quezon Avenue, the agency said.

 

Meanwhile, Abaya said that the department accomplished this year "noteworthy achievement" in the aviation sector such as the approval of US Federal Aviation Authority and the European Union and the start of full operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. 

 

In addition, he added that the P1.3-billion NAIA 1 rehabilitation project will be 95 percent complete by the end of February next year and other works to be finished by May.

 

The US FAA upgraded the country to Category 1 from Category 2 while the European Union lifted its ban against Philippine air carriers. —NB, GMA News