Ang Pahayagan

NEW CLARK CITY – The country’s first autonomous bus powered by Japanese technology is now plying around New Clark City, Clark Freeport Zone, and Clark International Airport, and commuters can ride the self-driving vehicle free of charge for now.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Zenmov, Inc. and MC Metro Transport Operation Inc. launched its smart autonomous bus service in New Clark City on Sept. 10.

“Riding the first self-driving bus is free of charge until the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board advise the parties on fare collection,” it said.

This project is an offshoot of the memorandum of agreement signed by BCDA, Zemnov, and MC Metro in October 2023 and the memorandum of understanding with New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to finance a mobility demonstration program of the self-driving public vehicle until June next year.

“We can definitely learn a lot from Japan’s advanced and innovative transport system. By integrating their smart autonomous vehicle technology, we ensure a more sustainable and scalable transport solution here in Clark,” BCDA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Gisela Kalalo said.

“This will positively transform the everyday lives of those living and working within Clark —making it easier to get around, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting a green and low-carbon environment.”

The BCDA said the Primary Rapid Transit will be a “last mile” service running in select routes in New Clark City, Clark Freeport Zone, and Clark International Airport using a transportation cloud system called Smart Mobility Operation Cloud.

The BCDA said this project aligns with its vision to make New Clark City the country’s first sustainable, smart, and green city in the country.

e-PUVs on test run in Subic

Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) inaugurated its public transportation project with the test run of two fully electric public utility vehicles (e-PUVs) around the central business district (CBD) here from Sept. 13 to 27.

In collaboration with the Basic Energy Corp., the company behind the Green Energy E-Transport Program (GEEP), this project was conceptualized primarily to provide free or low-cost transportation services to Subic Freeport stakeholders.

The e-PUVs on test run will be used to ferry commuters from CBD-A bus stop situated at the Golden Dragon Restaurant parking area, and CBD-B bus stop at the Kalaklan Terminal.

📸 An e-PUV currently on the streets of the Central Business District of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on test run. (SBMA HO photo/ Robin Tuazon)

The ePUVs made their inaugural run here during the second Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center for its ecotour on Wednesday and Thursday.

Basic Energy Corp.is a publicly listed holding company in the Philippines that has business interests in various fields of renewable energy and alternative fuels, and oil and gas exploration and development. (PNA and SBMA report)

TOP 📸 SELF-DRIVING BUS. The Primary Rapid Transit, the country’s first self-driving mass transport, is plying New Clark City during its launching on Sept. 10, 2024. The autonomous bus is powered by Zemnov, Inc. and MC Metro Transport Operation, Inc. and being funded by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. (Courtesy of BCDA)