Iloilo to study if ‘podcar’ is feasible

ILOILO CITY: An automated and low-cost mass transportation system is set for this city after the local government signed a deal for the conduct of a feasibility study for a podcar or a guided/railed transport system.

Mayor Jerry Treñas and Futran Philippines Inc. president Jose Christopher “Joey” Fornier 2nd entered into a memorandum of understanding for the conduct of a feasibility study for the P16-billion project on January 30.

“This game-changing investment is a testament to the power of public-private partnership in uplifting people’s lives,” the city mayor said in a statement.

With Futran working to assess the technical and financial viability of the project, Treñas said the state-of-the-art transportation system will pave the way for a greener and more efficient mass transit system for the city.

The firm said the podcar system is an easy and safe transport system that enables low-cost mass transit, with suspended vehicles having a capacity for eight to 20 passengers per hour and stations situated one kilometer or less apart.

“Futran’s podcar system allows for smaller stations and slender track systems, which are ideal for most of the city’s narrow road networks,” it added.

Futran added that the offline stations of the podcar system allow for seamless operations, enabling vehicles to bypass stations when unnecessary, thus ensuring flexibility and efficiency.

Once the project is deemed feasible in the city, the firm said its construction will not cause major traffic disruptions, as steel superstructures and guideways of the transport system are modularly designed and manufactured to be transported and assembled on-site.

“Utilizing a smaller, lightweight, and prefabricated elevated track network, the Futran Podcar Transport System will require less right-of-way and minimize inconveniences during construction,” it said.

Futran has also assured the city government that the project is safe and reliable, emphasizing that it has developed and constructed its test track and testing facilities.

The firm initially proposed the introduction of podcars in the city in April of the previous year.

“With the potential implementation of podcars, we can finally bid farewell to the frustrating traffic and usher in a new era of sustainable commuting,” Treñas added.

A study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) of the traffic conditions in the Metro Iloilo Area showed that daily vehicle accumulation ranges from 30,000 to 45,000.

JICA also pointed out traffic management issues such as inadequate intersection geometry, lack of traffic engineering approach, lack of basic traffic control devices, and indiscriminate parking.