CCTO supports use of cable cars in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) Operations Chief Francisco Ouano believes that the proposed cable cars will help alleviate the horrendous traffic situation in the city.

"Any public utility vehicle (PUV) na magamit nato, i-consider gyud kay kahibaw man ta nga grabe na ka traffic, daghan sad kaayong motorista," Ouano said.

Private firm Socor Construction Corp. has proposed an Aerial Ropeway Transit (ART) or cable cars that would cover a 20-kilometer stretch in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

Each kilometer of the project will approximately cost up to $30 million.

Socor Construction Corp. President Fortunato Sanchez Jr. presented the model and idea during a Regional Development Council meeting in Cebu City last December 14, 2018.

A pre- feasibility study has been conducted for the project, and it is supported by an Austrian-based transport company Doppelmayr Cable Car.

Ouano said that the CCTO can help if the firm would call out to them during the study.

"Ato gihapon tabangan kay sa kaayohan man ni sa atong nasud," Ouano said.

Ouano added that this project will take time, just like the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

"Kung naa sad plano ang gobyerno nato, why not? Isa jud ni siya sa makatabang sa traffic," he added.

Sanchez said that the ART is an ideal, safe, and fast mode of mass transport.

The cable cars will have a passenger capacity of 4,000 per hour per direction.  Each cabin can accommodate 10 passengers and it will run at 22 kilometers per hour. — Isabella G. Obor, USJR intern, GAN (FREEMAN)