MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday said it is studying the possibility of installing a cable car system that would connect the planned MRT-4 station in Taytay, Rizal to Antipolo City.

DOTr Undersecretary TJ Batan said the agency completed a pre-feasibility study funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the first quarter of the year, and so far, he said it seems like a viable plan.

“One of the best applications of the cable car technology is in mountainous terrain, mataas. So it’s very useful for that…  It would be very difficult to build additional roads and it’s also very difficult to build an additional rail connection,” he said, during the Build Better More Infrastructure Forum in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

But Batan noted that a more detailed feasibility study is still needed to determine how many passengers can benefit from the urban cable car and how much the project would cost.

“Antipolo is very dense, lots of residents, lots of economic activity. So it will be complementary to connect MRT-4 with Antipolo City", said Batan.

The DOTr plans to hire a consultant for the study by the end of this year.

“That procurement will be done together with the ADB. So following ADB procedures, we’re targeting to mobilize, start the feasibility study if not the end of this year, early next year. Assuming that we finish it within 2025, usually 1 year is the estimate, then we go to NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) for investment approval,” he said.

Should it be approved, Batan said the agency is looking at having a solicited proposal for the project, which may be bid out by 2026.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan-based company Zip Infrastructure Co. Ltd. for a feasibility study on a cable car system called Zippar in Baguio City.

Batan said the BCDA is working directly with the local government of Baguio on this cable car project. He added that the DOTr supports the initiative.