Megawide targets May start for Cavite BRT

Megawide Construction Corp. is targeting to start partial operations of its P1.87-billion Cavite Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project by May.

“The construction is ongoing, but what we want to do is begin partial operations by May,” Megawide Chief Business Development Officer Jaime Raphael C. Feliciano told reporters.

The listed construction and engineering firm secured the contract to construct and develop the Cavite BRT project last year.

Mr. Feliciano said the full BRT system is expected to be completed by yearend, adding that the project’s P2P service from Imus, Cavite to One Ayala is set to start operations by May.

For the expected launch next month, Megawide is projecting ridership of nearly 5,000 passengers, he said, adding that about 10 buses will be deployed for initial operations.

The company had earlier planned to start partial operations last year but cited minor delays, particularly in the issuance of franchises.

“There’s a little bit of discussion with the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) with the franchise, because it is not typical bus operations so there’s a lot of back and forth happening,” Mr. Feliciano said.

The Cavite BRT is a joint venture between Megawide and property developer Maplecrest Group, Inc.

The project involves the development, operation, and maintenance of a BRT system serving Imus, General Trias, Tanza, Kawit, and Trece Martires, as well as nearby areas in Cavite. It will link to Metro Manila through the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

The project will be implemented in two phases and will have a total of 47 stations and three terminals.

In 2015, Megawide unit MWM Terminals, Inc. secured a 35-year contract to construct and operate PITX, an integrated multimodal terminal. The company is also developing the Baguio City Integrated Terminal project. — Ashley Erika O. Jose