In 2025, if plans don’t miscarry, electricity-powered passenger buses will be plying the streets of Makati City.
The Makati City government on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to bankroll the acquisition of electric buses under a project dubbed “smart public transport system.”
“Apart from the Makati subway, this new public transport system is in line with our efforts to transform Makati into a smart city. We need to upgrade our systems because smart transportation is more convenient, safe, and cost-effective for both the city and the commuters than traditional frameworks,” Makati Mayor Abigail Binay said.
Binay said the envisioned public transport system will provide commuters with an affordable means of transportation. She also said the project will mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions since the eco-friendly buses are powered by electricity.
The mayor signed the accord KOICA country director Kim Eunsub, deputy country director Yoo Jiyoung, KOICA, and KOICA program manager.Francis Afable,
The project involves the development of a public transportation master plan, establishment of a public transport information and communications technology (ICT) system, pilot operation of electric vehicle (EV) bus service, establishment of an EV bus depot, and capacity building of officials and personnel.
Mayor Binay said t KOICA will provide $13 million for the smart public transport system, including the design and construction of an EV bus depot, control tower, and EV buses; and management of the automatic fare collection system, fleet management system, and mobile passenger information system.
For its part, he city government will provide the lots for the construction of the EV bus depot and parking area, oversee the implementation of the project, and allocate funds for the operation of the project, including the cost of proper storage, utilities for operation, and maintenance of ICT system and the EV buses.
Binay said the construction of the EV bus depot, the control center, the ICT system, and other facilities will start during the first quarter of 2023, and scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2025.