Laguna Lake Ferry to ease NCR traffic, aid transition to new normal – solon

MANILA, Philippines — The Laguna Lake Ferry operation could help alleviate the usual heavy traffic from Rizal to Makati City as well as aid in the transition to the “new normal” amid the coronavirus pandemic, a lawmaker said Thursday.

Rizal 2nd Dist. Rep. Fidel Nograles, who initiated the Laguna Ferry Network, said the project will reduce travel time from Cardona in Rizal to Makati City from 2.25 hours to 45 minutes.

It is likewise expected to decrease the number of commuters traveling by jeeps and buses, and discourage the use of private cars, he added.

“Once the ferry service becomes operational, it will help free up much-needed commuter space in jeeps and buses plying routes between Cardona and Makati,” the lawmaker said.

“We are also hoping that given the convenience of the ferry service, it will also help decongest roads by making car users ride our ferries instead,” he also said.

The construction of the Laguna Lake Ferry Network project started after Nograles and the Rizal provincial government officials held a groundbreaking ceremony in Cardona last October 8.

“One of the best things about this transport solution is that we are able to add a viable and convenient transportation option without adding more vehicles to our already heavily congested roads. Even the construction of our terminals has little to no effect on traffic,” the said.

“We’re imagining a future of creative transportation solutions that go beyond roads and cars. We’re seeing LGUs starting to think of our waterways like the Laguna Lake and the Pasig River as resources waiting to be tapped,” he added.

He likewise said that adding new modes of public transport and increasing their capacity is needed as the country braces to open the economy gradually amid the pandemic.

“Opening new modes of transportation such as our ferry service will be of great help in getting the economy back to its feet and transitioning to the new normal,” Nograles said.

KGA