The Makati skyline (File photo by ERNIE SARMIENTO / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Makati will soon introduce electric buses, as Mayor Abby Binay signed an agreement on Wednesday with officials of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to establish a smart public transport system.
According to a city statement, KOICA will provide $13 million in funds for the transport system.
The amount will cover the design and construction of an electric vehicle bus depot, control tower, and electric vehicle buses. It will also finance the management of the automatic fare collection system, fleet management system, and mobile passenger information system.
For its part, the city government will provide land for the bus depot and a parking area, oversee the implementation of the project, and provide a sufficient amount to cover the expenses required for the operation of the project. Operating the system includes providing proper storage, utilities for the maintenance of an ICT system, and electric buses.
The construction of the electric vehicle bus depot, control center, ICT system, and other facilities will start in the first quarter of 2023 and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025, according to Binay.
“Apart from the Makati Subway, this new public transport system is in line with our efforts to transform Makati into a smart city,” Binay said.
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