Cable car systems planned in La Union to Baguio and in Caticlan-Boracay

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Government of France this week officially started the 450,000 Euro ($504,000) feasibility study (FS) for the first urban cable car project in the country to be piloted in Metro Manila, although DOTr is pushing for other locations, such as La Union-Baguio and Caticlan-Boracay.

French consulting firms MDP Consulting & Systra will undertake the 10month cable car project FS, a direct grant from the French government.

Both consultants are international experts in transport infrastructure and cable car systems. France itself has one of the best urban cable car systems in the world.

As grantor, the French Government eyes a pilot location in Metro Manila. However, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade wants La Union-Baguio and CaticlanBoracay to be considered as prospective cable car routes to boost tourism in these areas.

The FS has three stages. The first identifies potential cable car corridors. Stage 2 compares potential corridors and selects the best cable car alignment. Last is the full feasibility study to determine if the project is technically, and economically feasible.

For the technical analysis under the full FS, aspects to be studied include the kind of technology most suitable for the project, the actual alignment of the cable line, as well as properties (Right of Way), utilities and families to be affected.

The financial analysis will determine the cost of the project for the review and approval or adjustment of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The economic feasibility analysis involves weighing the economic costs versus the economic benefits of the project including travel time saved and savings in vehicle operating cost.

“The construction of an urban cable car system in Manila is an exciting prospect. We are happy to support the Philippine Government to include this in Metro Manila’s transport network,” remarked French Ambassador to the Philippines Nicolas Galey.

While the cable car project should address the country’s transportation and traffic problems, “Not one system can solve the situation. Not a cable system alone can solve the problems. It has to be a basket of solutions, procedures, and systems. One of those is certainly cable,” Tugade concluded.