Baguio City cancels elevated e-train and cable car plans

Baguio City, Philippines, has decided to abandon plans for elevated electric trains and cable cars as part of its mass transport system. Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced during a transportation summit that these climate-friendly options are not practical for the city’s needs. The mayor confirmed that electric and hybrid jeepneys will still be part of the city’s low-carbon transport program. He encouraged participants at the summit to propose new solutions to Baguio’s ongoing traffic problems. Two public-private partnership deals are being considered. One proposal is from Megawide Construction Corp. to build an intermodal transport terminal, while another comes from Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. for a smart mobility system using artificial intelligence. Baguio faces serious congestion, especially during weekends when tourism peaks. Experts at the summit discussed environmental goals in managing traffic, following the city’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint. Previous proposals for a monorail and cable car systems, made in collaboration with various companies, have not progressed. Mayor Magalong highlighted the challenges of improving Baguio's streets while enhancing air quality. Current short-term traffic measures include rerouting and limited pedestrian access on Session Road. However, the effectiveness of these measures is under scrutiny as traffic and air quality remain issues. As of 2023, Baguio's daytime population reached over 764,000 due to tourism and commuting students, putting a strain on infrastructure originally designed for far fewer vehicles. Over 58,000 vehicles were registered in the city by 2024, exceeding its road capacity, which has been a concern since 1988.