MANILA, Philippines — A study looking into the viability of the government’s proposed cable car system to help ease congestion of roads in Metro Manila has commenced, with results to be known by the third quarter of next year.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), with the help of the French government, Wednesday jumpstarted the feasibility study for an urban cable car project in Metro Manila.
The feasibility study, which will last for 10 months, is funded by a grant from the government of France amounting to around 450,000 euros.
“As the grantor, the French government is looking at an urban area for the cable car project’s pilot implementation. The feasibility study is for the DOTr to identify possible areas in Metro Manila for implementation of the project,” the agency said.
According to the DOTr, the implementation phases of the project would proceed based on the results of the study.
With Metro Manila seen as the project’s pilot site, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has also proposed for the establishment of a cable car system to connect La Union to Baguio City, and Caticlan to Boracay.
The cable car system is among the projects being pushed by the DOTr as an alternative transport option in the country.
The agency said France was engaged in the process given that it has one of the best urban cable car systems in the world.
Tugade, however, said a cable car system would not be the ultimate solution but is part of a basket of solutions seen by the government to help address worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.