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| An image of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit system on Quezon Avenue / file photo from Inquirer (ctto) |
Manila, Philippines – The Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) Line 1, a project worth P4.8 billion, which will be connecting Manila and
Quezon City will push through, as it was made possible by the loan agreement
with the World Bank loan to be signed before 2018 ends.
In September 14, National Economic and Development Authority
(Neda) showed documents that the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
recommended Department of Finance (DOF) to sign the loan agreement.
Loan agreements
Along with it, the extension of the loan effectiveness
deadline from the Washington-based multilateral lender was also requested.
Meanwhile, World Bank in letter on September 15, told the
DOF that it allowed an extension, on exceptional basis, of the period to sign
and establish loan agreements for the BRT project.
Reportedly, the World Bank targeted Dec. 18 this year as the
latest date for loan effectiveness, Neda said. The earlier deadline to execute
the loan agreements was last Sept. 16.
Last year, the World Bank approved a $64.6-million loan to
build the first BRT system in Metro Manila.
A report from Inquirer said that World Bank, the Clean
Technology Fund and the French aid agency Agence Française de Développement
worth $89.5 million (P3.9 billion) will be combined to account for “the bulk of
the total project cost 0f $109.4 million, with the remaining P870.6 million to
be funded from the national budget.”
BRT means comfort for commuters
Neda, earlier stated, the BRT project “involves the provision
of a mass transport system along the España-Quezon Avenue-Commonwealth Avenue
corridor through high-capacity buses running on exclusive lanes.”
“It seeks to provide preferential journey times for public
transport, as well as improve the level of service to the passenger while in
vehicle, waiting for the vehicle, and making their way to and from the vehicle." Neda said*
"Through the conversion of largely sub-Euro vehicles to Euro
IV, the project will also bring an unquantified reduction in emissions along
the corridor with resultant improvement in local air quality. Further, there
will be a total greenhouse gas emission saving of 6.21 million tons over 30
years, or an average of 207,000 tons per year,” it added
The World Bank said that this project would benefit around
300,000 commuters daily along Espana and Quezon Avenue, providing them with
safe, reliable and comfortable rides.
The DOTR will implement the BRT line in coordination with
the Manila and Quezon City local government.
Its operation is targeted to begin in 2022.
In a previous article published by Rappler dated September
19, 2018, it was said that there will be BRT line in Cebu as well.
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| Photo of Jakarta's BRT system, it is also the longest in the world / photo from Wikipedia |
