Ayala BRT plan would link Edsa-MRT to Taft-LRT

Bus Rapid Transit systems, as in this one in Jakarta, have standardized busses running on dedicated lanes, and on schedules, between stations. It is a cheaper mass transit system to implement than subways or elevated railways.

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MANILA - The real estate arm of the Ayala Group and the Makati Commercial Estate Association Inc. have proposed a bus rapid transit system that would pass through the Philippines' premier business district and connect commuters to two of Metro Manila's light rail transit systems.

Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy, Ayala Land Inc. head for strategic landmark management, on Friday said the consortium submitted to the Department of Transportation and Communications a P700-million unsolicited proposal late last year.

The consortium has yet to hear from the government, but the proposal, if accepted, would have to be subjected to a Swiss challenge.

The bus rapid transit system will have its own dedicated lane plying a major road like Ayala Ave. and will run on a schedule, Dy said. It would start at the corner of EDSA and Ayala Ave., traverse Ayala, turn left at Gil Puyat and end at LRT-Buendia in Taft Ave. This then would ease traffic flow within the Makati Business Central Business District and make commuting easier, especially for Makati workers who need to transfer from MRT to LRT.

According to David L. Balangue, MACEA chairman and president, the consortium has proposed to shoulder around 40 percent of the project cost. He said a substantial portion of the financing would be equity and the rest debt.

The project would entail rerouting public utility buses plying Ayala-Gil Puyat, barring them from the Makati CBD once the new rapid transit system is in place. The e-jeepneys would be deployed to the sidestreets of Makati to service workers within Salcedo and Legaspi villages, Balangue said.

He said the consortium is still looking for potential third-party bus operators that would take on the BRT system. It would use articulated buses, which means two bus units would be attached to each other. This early, the consortium is considering Volvo or Mercedes Benz to provide the bus units.

"It is not a money-making venture for MACEA. To cut on cost, we would have to have a good deal on the buses. We have to negotiate well on whoever's going to manage it. And for the fare, we have been doing a lot of analysis because it would have to be competitive with what is currently available," Balangue said.

On top of the BRT system, MACEA is also earmarking P300 million for the traffic signal project by synchronizing traffic lights and installing closed circuit TVs. This would allow the Makati traffic authorities to implement contactless apprehension of violators.

"They would be issued tickets and they would not be able to renew their car registration without paying the fine. It's quite modern and I think the whole of Makati would be implementing this," Balangue told reporters during the "Make it Happen, Make it Makati" campaign launch.

Makati campaign

This campaign is made through digital and print media to engage the entire Makati community through a roster of activities within the city.

On Thursday, ALI, MACEA and the local government launched the MakeItMakati.com and the accompanying mobile app, which is an online platform that features hotels, restaurants and other establishments to help people know about the latest offerings in the city.

Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy, Ayala Land Inc. head for strategic landmark management, demonstrates to the audience how to navigate MakeItMakati.com (Likha Cuevas-Miel/InterAksyon.com)

The website and the mobile app features six district nodes, which is part of ALI's P60-billion investment in the city:

- Ayala Center as the lifestyle district;

- Ayala Triangle Gardens as the urban oasis;

- the Makati CBD;

- Makati North as the hub for the youth and young urban professionals;

- Makati South as the tech and transport hub of the metropolis; and

- Sta. Ana, a new entertainment district.

This new entertainment complex will be developed by ALI in partnership with the Philippine Racing Club into a mixed-use hub where residential condominiums, commercial establishments and cultural events would be found and take place.

ALI president Antonino Aquino said the company is allotting P20 billion for this Sta. Ana project, building on 20 hectares of raw land starting the second half of this year.

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