San Fernando, Pampanga - The city government of San Fernando, aiming to alleviate the worsening traffic woes, has partnered with Futran (Future of Transport) Philippines, Inc., a private firm, to establish a mass transit system. This collaboration was formalized on Tuesday when Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag signed a memorandum of understanding with Jose Christopher Fornier II, the president of Futran.
According to Philippines News Agency, this partnership marks the commencement of a long-term solution to the transportation challenges faced by the capital city of Pampanga.
The proposed mass transit system, named the 'People Mover Project,' features an innovative suspended podcar rail system. It incorporates a 'green concept' by utilizing sustainable and renewable energy sources, such as solar panels. A feasibility study, expected to span six to 12 months, will assess the technical and financial aspects of the project. Mayor Caluag emphasized the project's potential to address the city's growing traffic congestion, which has been exacerbated by the increasing number of workers, business clients, and tourists.
In addition to this initiative, the city government has been exploring various strategies to tackle the traffic issue. These include revising the truck restriction's scope and timing within the city, as well as altering the schedules of students and employees. Recently, Mayor Caluag issued an executive order to implement a four-day compressed work week for office-based transactions and services, starting December 4. This move is part of a series of proactive measures to reduce traffic congestion. However, the mayor clarified that regular operations of essential services such as health, social welfare, peace and order, and disaster response will continue as usual.