DOST hybrid electric road train for GenSan commuters

A 40-meter long Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT) will start its trial service in General Santos City (GenSan) next month to address traffic congestion in the area.

The train, developed by Filipino engineers from the Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) already had a trial run in Cebu City this February.

The train consists of 5 interlinked air-conditioned coaches that can hold up to 240 passengers per trip.

Designed for roads and not for rails, the HERT only runs at maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour.

Based on the initial route assessment survey, the train route will start at Barangay Katangawan then pass through Lagao Public Market, national highway and the city’s circumferential road going to GenSan Fish Port.

The HERT project is being deployed for trial runs to ensure that it meets the standards prior to its complete rollout to urban cities.

“We are conducting a series of route-assessment and ocular inspection to ensure the viability of using the road train in main roads of the city,” according to DOST-MIRDC Regional Director Dr. Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan.

The HERT also advocates a greener-use of technology as it is powered by electric batteries instead of solely diesel fuel thus creating lesser carbon emission,” she added.

Once proven viable, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña says they will donate the HERT to decongest the main roads of GenSan. (EVA)