Bay city: A free electric bus service that will connect major destinations across the 15-kilometer Bay City area has entered the bidding stage, as the government also prepares a cruise terminal that could link tourists to the capital's emerging green transport network. In an interview over Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Tuesday, Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) Chairperson Alexander Lopez said the Bay City Loop would initially deploy six electric buses around reclamation areas in Pasay and Para±aque.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lopez emphasized that the rides would be free during the project's initial six-month run. The government plans to allocate about PHP200 million for the service, a significantly lower investment compared to the PHP7-billion capital requirement of a proposed monorail that has been stagnant for about two years.
PRA Assistant General Manager for Reclamation Joseph John Literal highlighted that the loop is designed to address the lack of transportation linking different sections of Bay City. The route would connect key locations such as the Para±aque Integrated Terminal Exchange, SM Mall of Asia, Okada Manila, and the Philippine International Convention Center, among others.
Lopez mentioned that approximately 15 government and private stakeholders have agreed to provide land and construct uniform passenger stations at no cost. Literal added that the initial six-bus fleet would operate at intervals of about 10 minutes, with potential reductions in waiting time based on passenger demand.
The PRA is collaborating with various transportation and ports authorities to develop a cruise terminal that could enhance the area's status as a cruise tourism hub. The terminal could eventually link passengers to the electric loop and nearby commercial and cultural sites.
Literal noted that the Bay City Loop could serve as a model for green public transportation in other urban development areas. The PRA is considering extending the loop to the planned Pasay Eco City, slated to include hospitals, universities, and commercial districts.
Discussions are also underway with the Intramuros Administration for a possible Mall of Asia-Intramuros route and with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board to adapt the electric bus model for EDSA. The PRA will evaluate passenger demand and operational challenges before expanding the service further.
