MPTC unit bags OPS for P 2.5-B Baguio smart mobility project

A Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) unit has received the coveted original proponent status (OPS) for the P2.5-billion smart urban mobility contract with Baguio City, an initiative seen to reduce traffic in the country’s summer capital by 10 to 15 percent through the imposition of congestion charges and other transport solutions. Mark De Leon, MPT Mobility vice president for smart mobility solutions, told reporters on Monday they were negotiating the terms of the concession deal with the local government after receiving the OPS last August.

After ironing out talks, De Leon hopes to proceed with the Swiss challenge next year.

A Swiss challenge is conducted to invite other proposals that can rival the OPS’ offer. The OPS holder is then allowed to match the counter offers; if no better offer is filed, the OPS will emerge the winner.

Should they secure the contract by next year, De Leon said the urban mobility solution could be implemented by 2026.

This includes the placing of digital infrastructure for collection of congestion fees, which motorists entering the city during peak road hours will pay.

De Leon did not disclose how much is the proposed fee as it is still under negotiation.

The goal is to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, but De Leon said majority was still willing to pay for congestion fee.

Some 10 to 15 percent, meanwhile, said they would just shift to “alternative mode of transportation” instead of paying the charge. De Leon said this would be helpful in easing the traffic volume nonetheless.

Apart from this, the MPTC unit wants to establish an efficient public transport system to complement the initiative.

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“We are providing systems even for public transport to make it more efficient, make it more reliable,” he said.

The LGU of Baguio has been floating the idea of congestion fee collection to alleviate the heavy traffic at the popular destination. The city council previously talked about a P50 fee but it has yet to be finalized.

According to data, the current road capacity of Baguio could no longer accommodate the traffic volume. The province has a population of 366,358 based on 2020 census but its local roads could only service 145,416 residents according to National Economic and Development Authority.

The concept of congestion pricing was introduced in Singapore, London, San Diego, Stockholm and Milan, among others to ease traffic congestion.