Will an MRT be practical in Metro Cebu? DOTC to conduct a study

Will a mass transit system similar to the Metro Rail Transit be practical in Metro Cebu?

The Department of Transportation and Communication will head a feasibility study on such a mass transport system in Metro Cebu.

An article on the provincial government's website quoted Dominica Chua of the Mega Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) technical working group as saying the DOTC "will look into the proposed 97-kilometer Metro Rail Transit (MRT) in the mainland and Automated Guideway Transit (AGT)."

But construction of these rail systems may be not be expected until 2018 to 2021, it added.

Chua added the funds needed for the feasibility study is already included in 2016 national budget.

"The feasibility study will validate which mass transport system is suitable in the metro area. The choices include the Bus Rapid Transit, Metro Rail Transit, and Light Rail Transit," the provincial government said.

For his part, Governor Hilario Davide III also pushed for the immediate implementation of water projects as endorsed by the MCDCB.

He said they are racing against time after the dry spell brought by mild El Niño lowered water supply in the past couple of months.

DOTC interest

Chua said the DOTC expressed interest to implement 10 proposed mass transit projects in a meeting called by the agency last quarter.

“They have accepted the projects as their own as this is their mandate,” said Chua.

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