Megawide Construction Corp. said over the weekend it started negotiations to develop a P1.9-billion bus rapid transit project in Cavite province.
Megawide said the proposed Southwest BRT project would involve a bus-based transport system running on regular intervals along an alignment of 22.5 kilometers.
The whole project, which the company will undertake in partnership with Maplecrest Group Inc., will have five terminals and 34 stations.
“The proposed project will benefit residents of Cavite, particularly those in Imus, General Trias and Tanza areas by providing them with a convenient and efficient mass transit option that connects the Cavite areas,” Megawide said.
It said there is no mass transportation along the proposed alignment. Megawide said the transport options in the area like jeepneys and tricycles could be feeders to the BRT.
Megawide said the project aimed to have an initial traffic of 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles daily running on dedicated lanes to avoid mixing with regular traffic and help reduce congestion in the area.
It will also offer reliable bus schedules, efficient ticketing and trip scheduling system and clean and comfortable businesses.
The unsolicited project was submitted to the provincial government of Cavite for approval. Like other unsolicited proposals, it would be subject to Swiss Challenge.
Megawide said it was planning to start operating the project by the fourth quarter of 2022 depending on the pace of government approvals.
The project is a part of Megawide’s thrust to expand its transport-oriented development. Megawide operates the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
It is also in the advance stage of discussion with the local government of Baguio City for a potential land transport project that could be connected to its terminal in Paranaque.
It also started the construction of the P5.5-billion redevelopment of Carbon Market in Cebu which has a vital integrated transport component.
Megawide narrowed its net loss to P93 million in the first half from P290-million loss reported in the same period last year.
Revenues in the first six months grew by 18 percent year-on-year to P7.55 billion from P6.41 billion.