JICA unveils urban transport plan

THE JAPAN International Cooperation Agency (JICA) yesterday presented to a group of businessmen a 16-year plan to develop the transport infrastructure in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

During a general membership meeting of the Management Association of the Philippines yesterday, JICA Project Manager Shizuo Iwata laid out a specific P2.293-billion infrastructure plan for the government to solve traffic problems in the National Capital Region until 2030, when costs arising from traffic congestion could amount to P6 billion a day.

The plan includes:

• completing missing links such as flyovers, interchanges, and bridges in Metro Manila;

• rehabilitating main urban roads, including EDSA;

• completing the North Luzon Expressway - South Luzon Expressway connections, including port access;

• implementing the Cavite-Laguna expressway, C6 extension - Lakeshore dike road, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport expressway;

• expanding Light Rail Transit Lines 1, 2, and 3;

• improving connectivity among urban rail lines;

• developing bus rapid transit lines ahead of urban rail lines in major thoroughfares such as Quezon Avenue, C5, and Commonwealth Avenue;

• introducing systematic road safety interventions;

• capping expansion of Manila ports and facilitating diversion to Batangas and Subic ports through incentives; and

• conducting a study for development for a new airport and redevelopment of the port area in Manila.

"By 2030, if nothing is done, government will have to spend P6 billion a day for costs arising from traffic congestion in Metro Manila," said Mr. Iwata.

Should the plan be carried out, the government may earn additional revenues of up to P397 million a day from toll fees, and a commuter would spend just P18 per day for public transport from the current P24-42.

Travel time from Metro Manila to surrounding provinces such as Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga and Rizal -- and vice versa -- will also be reduced to 49 minutes.

Mr. Iwata said the transport infrastructure plan will be presented at a Cabinet meeting today. -- D.E.D. Saclag

source:  Businessworld