Construction of transport hub to begin September 2016

By Daryl Rose Virtudazo 

Construction of the P277.90-million integrated transport hub south of Manila will commence on September this year following the signing of the Concession Agreement for the South Integrated Transport Systems (ITS), said Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. 

“With the South ITS connecting different modes of transportation and services, we can guarantee the public more efficient and seamless transfers. It will also improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in Metro Manila, as it will serve as a transfer point for provincial buses entering the metropolis,” said Abaya.

The 35-year concession agreement with Arca South Integrated Terminal Inc., which is fully owned by Ayala Land Inc., was signed following the firm’s submission of the lowest annual grantor payment at P277.9 million and the fulfillment of all post-award requirements.

ITS South will connect passengers coming from the Laguna-Batangas side to other transport systems such as the future North-South Commuter Railway project or the Philippine National Railways and other public utility vehicles that are serving the metropolis. The project will include passenger terminal buildings, arrival and departure bays, public information systems, ticketing and baggage handling facilities, and park-ride facilities.

The South ITS is one of the intermodal facilities that will be the end-point for over 2,000 provincial buses currently entering Metro Manila daily, effectively decongesting main thoroughfares. Moreover, it will allow convenient in-city public transport transfers, as railway lines, city buses, taxis, and other public utility vehicles servicing inner Metro Manila will be made available.

The terminal will be situated in a 5.7-hectare plot of land in the FTI Compound along SLEx, and will be connected to the North-South Railway Project.

Under the terms of the partnership, ALI will