NEARLY 10 months after the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) donated its hybrid electric road train (HERT) to Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña has yet to see how it could operate in the city’s roads.
“It cannot turn around. It will just cause traffic jams if you let it ply in our streets. I don’t have time to study what to do with that. They designed something and then they’re not sure if they can use it,” he said.
Two years ago, Cebu City Hall signed an agreement with DOST to test the train and see if it can be used to complement the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the city.
Under the agreement, the DOST will give the e-train to other local government if it isn’t feasible in Cebu City.
The DOST considered General Santos City as a recipient after the Cebu City Traffic Office was unable to find a route for the train.
The 40-meter e-train can accommodate 240 passengers and was designed locally by DOST engineers assigned at the Metal Industry Research and Development Center.
It remains parked near the South Coastal Road tunnel.