The Automated Guide-way Transit (AGT) System, a mass transport technology locally developed by the DOST through the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) is the Department’s answer to address the need for environmentally sustainable transport technologies that could ease air pollution and traffic congestion. Seen as an alternative solution to solve the traffic congestion, transportation woes, and worsening air pollution in Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet, a pre-feasibility study has been done by the Transport and Traffic Planners, Inc. (TTPI) as commissioned by the DOST. The study looked into the viability of Deploying the DOST Developed Mass Transportation Technologies in Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet and was completed in 2015.
The results of the pre-FS conducted by the TTPI is very encouraging as the proposed AGT system will benefit majority of the commuters along the proposed lines namely the Baguio Central Business District (CBD) line with a total length of 2.1 kms; the Baguio- La Trinidad line with a total length of 5.4 kms; and both lines combined. However, the same document recommends for alternative sources of employment and business opportunities for affected sectors must be addressed by appropriate agencies. While the pre-FS was limited to Baguio City and La Trinidad, expansion is recommended to include Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay, covering the whole BLISTT area.
With results, RDC-CAR has already spearheaded various initiatives needed to ensure the realization of the project. The RDC-CAR has provided the resolution for the creation of the RDC CAR Ad Hoc Committee for AGT System Project where the committee shall spearhead the Terms of Reference for the conduct of the full blown FS, as well as look into possible funding sources for the conduct of this study. Likewise, the PLGU-Benguet submitted a resolution to strongly support the proposed development of the AGT in La Trinidad, Benguet and Baguio City and the conduct of a full-blown Feasibility Study (FS) while the BLISST Governing Council filed a resolution for the endorsement of the recommendation for funding of the BLISSTT AGT FS under the 2018 DOST budget.
In a recent meeting of the Ad Hoc committee on March 20, 2017 at the Citylight Hotel in Baguio City, it was seen that the AGT project could be one alternative to significantly enhance current public transportation and can also boost the country’s tourism.
The draft TOR for the FS states that it will include, among others, the feasibility of deploying and operating the AGT System developed by the DOST-MIRDC in BLISTT shall be fully studied to include a Value Engineering/Value Analysis (VE/VA) to identify the best possible implementation options/configurations for the project.
Meanwhile, specific objects of the FS under the draft TOR shall include field surveys including traffic volume and occupancy counts, travel time studies, public transit surveys, and interviews; detailed assessment of passenger demand; environmental benefits; structural and geotechnical assessment for AGT track and station design; identification of stakeholder groups and potential impacts of the AGT system; institutional analysis to identify possible interfaces; and assessment of potential financial and economic benefits and costs of the AGT system.
Funding for the conduct of the AGT system FS is estimated to be at PhP10M and sources for this requirement is currently being looked into by the Ad Hoc Committee to include JICA and a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) center. Currently, the DOST-CAR has included this particular budget in its 2018 budget proposal which was duly endorsed by the RDC-CAR.** shai singa-claver
