Cordillera, - Are Baguio City and La Trinidad going to have their first
metro rail?
In 2017, Russia said that it was eyeing
transportation and energy deals with the Philippines and that there are
Russian companies wo wanted to invest in transportation projects in Baguio
and La Trinidad.
The bilateral relationship between the Philippines and
Russia is positive and constructive. Russians would like to do trade with
the Philippines. There are Russian companies wanting to invest in
transportation, including a subway, and he even made particular mention on
the interest to build a light metro rail for Baguio and La Trinidad.
The said project is an alternative mode of public transportation to ease
traffic and address pollution problem in Baguio City and La Trinidad, and
also boost tourism and economic activity that will surely benefit many
residents.
It can be recalled that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and
the University of the Philippines - National Center for Transportation
Studies (UP-NCTS) with the partnership of The Metals Industry Research and
Development Center (MIRDC) completed the feasibility study on the deployment
of a locally made mass transportation system technology called Automated
Guideway Transit (AGT) system designed for Baguio City and La
Trinidad.
The estimated cost for the proposed AGT system is Php1.348 billion
including six 120 seat coaches valued at Php66 million per coach, the cost
of the elevated track valued at Php1.122 billion and four stations worth Php160 million.
The projected annual revenue if the AGT is fully operational would start at
Php86.6 billion and would grow up to Php159 billion for a 10-year
period.
