Metro Manila is bound to enjoy considerably cleaner and healthier air in the years ahead once its first two subway trains become operational, a lawmaker said on Saturday.
“Besides providing everybody a better way to commute, the two subways will surely improve in a big way Metro Manila’s air quality—with lower toxic carbon dioxide concentrations,” said Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr.
Unlike buses and other public utility vehicles that run on diesel or gasoline, the electric-driven subways will not discharge harmful exhaust fumes into the air, he said.
“More important, we are actually counting on the convenience of subway rides to reduce over time the number of people using their own cars to go to work,” Campos said.
Less use of private cars will not only mean fewer exhaust emissions but also less road congestion.
Campos earlier filed House Bill No. 1432 which seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by providing incentives for the manufacture, assembly, conversion and importation of electric, hybrid and other motor vehicles that run on cleaner alternative fuel.
Philippine InfraDev Holdings Inc. and the Makati City government on Tuesday signed the joint venture agreement for the $3.5-billion Makati Intra-city Subway Public-Private Partnership Project.
The 10-kilometer and 10-station Makati underground rapid transit system, also known as Line 5, is expected to start operations in 2025.
This is around the same time that the 36-kilometer and 15-station Metro Manila Subway Project from Quezon City to Taguig City, or Line 9, would also be up and running.
The two subway lines will be linked.
The Makati subway is projected to move up to 700,000 commuters daily. It will also be linked to the existing MRT (Line 3) and the proposed new Pasig River Ferry System.
It is anticipated to initially convey some 365,000 commuters daily starting 2025, and up to 973,000 daily by 2035.
“Overall, we envisage subway rides to be easier, faster, cheaper and safer for everybody,” Campos said.