The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning to introduce the country’s first cable car service by 2028, according to Undersecretary Timothy John Batan.
Speaking at a forum on Thursday about the government’s infrastructure initiatives, Batan revealed plans to connect Taytay and Antipolo City in Rizal through the new cable car system. The service aims to transport passengers from the proposed Taytay station on the future Metro Rail Transit Line 4 (MRT-4) to Antipolo City.
“Antipolo is highly populated and economically active, so linking it to the MRT-4 will be beneficial,” Batan said.
The DOTr will commence a feasibility study in mid-2025 to determine project costs, passenger capacity, and other specifics. Following the study, bidding for the project is expected to begin by late 2025 or early 2026.
“If we award the contract in 2026, construction could potentially be completed by 2028,” Batan added.
The proposed MRT-4, spanning 12.7 kilometers from EDSA Ortigas Ave. junction to Taytay, Rizal, was initially slated to begin construction in the second quarter of 2024. However, delays in loan signings have pushed the timeline to 2024.
The idea of a cable car system in the Philippines dates back to the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which considered implementing similar projects in Metro Manila, Boracay, and Baguio. These plans were based on a P27-million feasibility study funded by the French government but were never realized.