House body finds hybrid trains too slow

House body finds hybrid trains too slow

THE House committee on transportation has questioned the viability and capability of the new hybrid electric trains project because the trains run slow.

In a press statement sent to SunStar Cebu, the lawmak- ers expressed skepticism over the capability of the new trains during the hearing conducted by the committee chaired by Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento (Lone District, Catanduanes) on the trial run of the coaches.

The mass transport con- veyor is a project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Last Wednesday, sixcoach hybrid trains arrived in Cebu City, but the City Government is not certain yet on using them pending a route plan.

At the hearing, Rep. Bayani Fernando (Marikina) said it will no longer be viable to operate the new trains because they run only 80 kilometers per hour (kph).

“So it’s another choochoo train.Anong klaseng train iyan, 80 kilometers per hour? Ang mga trains ngayon sa mundo 200 kilometers per hour,” said Fernando.

Fernando, former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman, advised the resource persons from the transport sector to look at the use of the railway system in Tokyo, Japan, which is backed by high-capacity trains.

More study

He said that first-level, second-level and third-level elevated railways may not be viable. He asked the transport sectors instead to conduct a feasibility study on an underground subway system.

“The new trains are running slow than a total railway system review is needed. It has to be done as a national effort. To do this, we have to think big, at least let’s not say 200 kilometers per hour. But we have to run it faster than road travel. We have to do actions to attain this objective,” said Fernando.

Fernando, vice chairman of the committee on transport, said there was a major mistake in transport planning, resulting in worsening traffic in Metro Manila.

He wanted the total railway system review to ensure capability of the new trains to service commuters.

Sarmiento, chairman of the committee on transport, said the DOST offered to increase the trains’ speed to 80 kph.

Sarmiento said the purpose of the dry run is to increase ridership.

Routes

In Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to submit a proposed route for the hybrid trains.

Osmeña said he will prioritize the call center agents whose offices are in the Asiatown IT Park in Barangay Apas to avail themselves of the hybrid train.

But if roads leading to IT Park are not big enough to accommodate these trains, Osmeña said these should be used instead for long travel like from Talisay City to Cebu City.

As proposed, the trains will be deployed in four loops.

Loop 1

The first loop will be from Fuente Osmeña straight to Osmeña Blvd., P. Del Rosario St., Imus New Road, Gen. Maxilom Ave. and back to Fuente Osmeña.

However, the CCTO said that the first loop is not favorable because of the jeepney density and the heavy traffic volume on Gen. Maxilom Ave.

Loop 2

In the second proposed loop, the train will be from Fuente Osmeña, Gen. Maxilom, New Imus Road, P. Del Rosario St., N. Bacalso., V. Rama Ave., B. Rodriguez St., then back to Fuente Osmeña.

Loop 3

The train in the third loop will start from Fuente Osmeña, Osmeña Blvd., P. Del Rosario, New Imus Road, Gen. Maxilom, S. Osmeña Ave., Commerce St., Benedicto St., Gen. Maxilom Ext., N. Bacalso, V. Rama, B. Rodriguez, and back to Fuente Osmeña.

The CCTO said this loop is more favorable, considering that there are no jeepneys from the North Reclamation Area to New Imus Road to P. Del Rosario, and then to V. Rama.

Loop 4

In the fourth loop, the train will start from JY Square in Lahug, Salinas Drive, Juan Luna Ave., Juan Luna Ext., S. Osmeña Ave., Gen. Maxilom, Gorordo, then back to Salinas Drive.

This route, CCTO said is not favorable also due to the limited road width of Salinas Drive.

Under the memorandum of agreement that the City entered with DOST, the local government will help DOST in the field testing of the hybrid trains and market it to possible local manufacturers and suppliers, said lawyer Rafael Christopher Yap of CCTO.

Yap said that among the factors that they’re considering are the physical characteristics of the road, as the road train is a bit long.

He said the road must be physically capable of accommodating such vehicle.

Also, Yap said there must be a passenger demand in that route.

He also assured that the jeepneys will not be displaced with the presence of the road trains.