DOTr vows to up mass transport capacity, build 'walkable communities'

MANILA: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) acknowledged the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed the desire of Filipinos for government to prioritize "active" and public transport.

The DOTr recognizes this as proof that the perception of transportation in the Philippines is evolving, specifically during this time that the country is gradually recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Numerous high-capacity public transport vehicles and major mass transport systems are currently in the process of completion for greater mobility using less vehicles while taking up less space.

For the railway sector, the DOTr and its associated agencies continue to undertake the expansion, rehabilitation, and construction of numerous railway initiatives, which include the first-ever subway system. A new 74-ton cutterhead of the newly arrived Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), “Kaunlaran” will be revealed on February 5.

Several projects will also be completed, like the MRT-3 rehabilitation (set for completion in July 2021), the MRT-7 from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan (for partial operations by Q4 of 2021 and for full completion in 2022), the Common Station (slated for completion by Q4 of 2021), the PNR Clark Phase 1 from Tutuban to Malolos (for partial operations by Q4 of 2021), the Light Railway Transit (LRT) Line 2 East Extension from Santolan to Masinag (for completion in April 2021), and the extension of the LRT Line 1 Extension from Metro Manila to Cavite (set for partial operations by Q4 of 2021).

The procurement of new train sets for the Philippine National Railways (PNR), LRT-1, and MRT-3 lines have also been materialized to improve capability and capacity.

Currently, 15 passenger coaches and three new diesel hydraulic locomotives (DHL) are being utilized, and these complete the PNR re-fleeting starting in 2018 (three locomotives and 37 cars/passenger coaches).

In addition, four fourth-generation LRVs out of 120 have been acquired for LRT-1 and its Cavite Extension.

Moreover, the signing of the agreement for the rolling stock of the Metro Manila Subway Project was accomplished last December 2020.

Through such projects, the DOTr is positioning mass public transportation as the primary means for mobility to lessen the dependence on private cars and minimize exhaust emissions.

Furthermore, in the road transport sector, the transition to clean energy for public buses as well as other public utility vehicles (PUVs) has become more timely and essential with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), routes are being streamlined and the Public Utility Modernization Program (PUVMP) is being implemented to guarantee environmental protection, safety, efficiency, and order through clean fuel utilization in public land transportation.

Other initiatives related to the road transport sector include the implementation of the service contracting program to aid PUV drivers in the replacement of lost income during the quarantine period and to update the quality of public transportation service; as well as the  complete development of the EDSA busway, based on international standards for the benefit of moving commuters.

The DOTr is also supporting and promoting the utilization of other forms of mobility like walking and bicycling.

For this particular initiative, the DOTr has shown support for the recovery of lost sidewalk space as a result of previous vehicle oriented road space use policy, which involved the widening of roads through cutting down of trees and sidewalk encroachment.

As part of its leveling up, DOTr is aiming for more infrastructure projects to cater to the needs of cyclists and pedestrians.

Currently, the DOTr is extending bicycle lanes in Metro Davao, Metro Cebu, and Metro Manila under the Bayanihan 2 Bike Lane Networks initiative.

To date, about 29 km of bike lanes have already been constructed and before 2021 ends, the goal is to add 140 km of bike lanes to the growing bike lane network of the Philippines.

Another initiative is the Bike Sharing Program, with a total of 31 bike sharing stations in full operation across Metro Manila as of February 2021.

The idea of a “walkable community” is also part of the DOTr’s active transport priorities because of the EDSA Greenways Project Phase 1, which targets the construction of walkable nodes or “greenways” at various railway stations. This will cater to the needs of 1.1 million pedestrians per day in 2023 and 1.2 million daily in 2051. 

The EDSA Greenways Project Phase 1 is slated for partial operations by December 2021 and for completion by February 2023.

Other initiatives include the EDSA Busway Bridge with Concourse Project, which will aid pedestrians in safely traversing EDSA as they get off at designated bus stops along thoroughfares.

Active and public transport on roads through the construction of bus systems are also being pushed further outside Metro Manila.

Within 2021, the DOTr is targeting partial operability of one of the essential segments (Package 1) of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT).

In Davao, a contemporary high-priority bus system is poised to deliver an effective, top-of-the-line, and cost-efficient mode of transportation through the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP), wherein partial operations are set for this year as the preliminary works are on process after the awarding of its agreement.

These initiatives demonstrate that the DOTr is looking forward to cater to more commuters with an improved mass transportation option, and is in full support of the government’s goal to improve connectivity and mobility through the development of mass transport networks across all transportation sectors in the Philippines.

Photos from the Department of Transportation

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