DOTC revives 1990s Metro Manila transport study

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has revived a 17-year-old plan to find ways to decongest Metro Manila and improve integration with nearby provinces.

In a recently published invitation, the DOTC said it was in search of a consultant for the Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study Update and Capacity Enhancement Project (MUCEP).

First conceptualized in 1996, the MUCEP, to be implemented with the help of the World Bank, “aims to enhance productivity and quality of life of Metro Manila residents by improving the efficiency and safety of the transport system and access to public transport and nonmotorized transport.”

In its invitation, the DOTC said it had set aside P41.05 million for the winning bidder, which will be responsible for updating Metro Manila’s transportation database.

“The transportation database for Metro Manila, which was developed … in 1996 has to be updated to support the development of traffic demand forecasts to be used in developing a public transportation plan for Metro Manila and the adjoining provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan,” the DOTC said.

The DOTC said it would fund a household interview survey, which would aim to capture current traffic conditions based on passenger trip patterns and to get public opinion on transportation development.

“Survey results are expected to support the ongoing … [improvement] of public transportation planning for Metro Manila, including coordination among relevant agencies to be spearheaded by the DOTC,” it added.