Cable car pushed as alternative mass transport for Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - “Cable car is the safest and cheapest mass transport in the world.”

 This was the assurance of Norbert Feuerstein of an Austrian Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH/Garaventa firm to the Cebu City Council Wednesday during the presentation of a cable transit, a proposed alternative urban mass transport in the city.

 Doppelmayr is an Austrian firm that manufactures and installs more than 14,400 surface and aerial ropeways, funicular airways, urban transit system, elevator and cable car in 88 nations.

 Cable transit, Feuerstein said, is a transportation technology which is power-generated that moves people in non-motorized vehicles or cabins propelled by a cable. It has a speed of 35 kilometers per hour.

 â€œThis is a very reliable transit. This will help Cebu address congested areas, rapid growing cities, and traffic jam. This is really a solution to your problem” Feuerstein told the council.

 Councilor Noel Wenceslao agreed, saying “this is a very good future transport in Cebu especially in mountain barangays.”

Mayor Michael Rama earlier expressed disagreement over the said transport system, stressing it would destroy the aesthetic value of Cebu’s heritage sites.

 Also, some councilors pointed out that the transit may not be viable and healthy for those who are afraid of heights.

 Feuerstein said the height of the cable depends on the number of stations, meaning the more stations installed the higher the cables are placed. Fifteen to forty meters from the ground is the standard height of the cable. 

 Councilor Margot Osmeña said if the transit would push through, it should be made affordable to the riding public.

 â€œWe have to set fair price. It should be affordable as it may be part of our everyday life as a mass transport,” said Osmeña, chairperson of the committee on budget and finance.  (FREEMAN)