SkyTrain (Metro Manila)

SkyTrain is an approved monorail line meant to serve the city of Makati and Bonifacio Global City area in Taguig, Metro Manila.

SkyTrain
Overview
Type	Monorail
Status	Approved
Locale	Makati and Taguig, Metro Manila
Termini	TBA (Guadalupe) TBA (UpTown Bonifacio)
Stations	2
Daily ridership	60,000–100,000 (projected)
Operation
Commenced	2018 (planned)
Planned opening	2021
Owner	Philippine Government
Operator(s)	Infracorp
Character	Elevated
Technical
Line length	2 km (1.2 mi)
Route map future interchange TBA (Guadalupe) 3 TBA (UpTown Bonifacio)

History

Development

Infracorp Development Inc., a subsidiary of Alliance Global Group of Andrew Tan submitted an unsolicited proposal to build a monorail system which will link the Fort Bonifacio area in Taguig and the Guadalupe MRT station in Makati on October 26, 2017 to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The proposal was officially endorsed by the DOTr in May 2018 and Infracorp was given "original proponent status" by the government agency.[1]

Following the DOTr's endorsement, the proposal is subject to review by the Investment Coordination Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority Board.[2]

After Infracorp was given "original proponent status" over the SkyTrain project, the firm began looking for an operations and maintenance partner, as well as the technology supplier. By June 2018, Infracorp has already received bids from firms based in Austria, China, France, and Japan. The company is set to make a decision regarding SkyTrain's operations and maintenance partner, and technology supplier by the end of 2018.[3]

Construction

The construction of the SkyTrain is projected to cost ₱3.5 billion and is set to commence within the first half of 2019. Infracorp will construct the monorail line for two years and plans to make the SkyTrain operational by the end of 2021.[4] Upon its completion, the SkyTrain's ownership will be transferred to the Philippine government but Infracorp shall be the sole operator of the monorail.[5]

Technology

The SkyTrain will devise an automated cable-propelled monorail technology.[6]

Stations

The initial monorail line will have two stations one in the Guadalupe area in Makati and another at the Uptown Bonifacio in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The whole line will be about 2 kilometers (1.2 mi).[2]

Ridership

The rail line is projected to have 60,000 to 100,000 daily ridership.[7]

Possible expansion

There are plans to expand the proposed rail line that will run from the Guadalupe area in Makati to Uptown Bonifacio area in Taguig. Any additional stations shall be included in a second or third phase of construction.[3]

In February 2018, it was reported that Ayala Corporation is considering a partnership with Infracorp. Ayala reportedly plans to extend the SkyTrain to the Makati Central Business District or up to the Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1 (LRT-1).[8] However at that time, Ayala has not started formal talks with Infracorp or its parent company, Alliance Global Inc regarding the SkyTrain project.[9]

By June 2018, Ayala already approached Alliance Global. The expansion could benefit Ayala Corp's Circuit Makati in Makati and Arca South in Taguig.[3]

References

1. Dumlao-Abadilla, Doris (May 28, 2018). "DoTr endorses Andrew Tan's P3B BGC-Makati monorail project". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
2. "AGI's Infracorp is ready to start monorail skytrain project this year". GMA News. May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
3. Austria, Jenniffer (June 17, 2018). "Alliance Global begins monorail project in Makati". Manila Standard. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
4. [Makati-Taguig Skytrain project seen to begin in 2019 "Makati-Taguig Skytrain project seen to begin in 2019"] Check |url= value (help). Philippine Canadian Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine News Agency. June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
5. "Makati-Taguig Skytrain may begin construction this year: Alliance Global". ABS-CBN News. May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
6. "Government greenlights Makati-BGC Skytrain". The Philippine Star. May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
7. Austria, Jennifer (October 11, 2017). "AGI proposes Makati Skytrain". The Standard. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
8. Dumlao-Abadilla, Doris (February 5, 2018). "Ayala group eyes stake in monorail project". Retrieved June 19, 2018.
9. Ballesteros, Angelica (February 8, 2018). "AGI eyes start of 'Skytrain' construction by yr-end". Manila Times. Retrieved June 19, 2018.