THE Cebu City Government will hold the hybrid road train test starting February 15 in the midtown and downtown areas of the city.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) donated to the Cebu City Government the hybrid electric road train, which is actually five connected buses. It is powered by a 300kva generator and dry cell batteries.

The hybrid e-train, which was designed locally by engineers from the DOST's Metal Industry Research and Development Center, can hold up to 240 passengers.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said, “We didn't ask for it, but it was offered to us for free by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), so best to make as much use of it as we can.”

The mayor also bared the proposed route for the hybrid electric road train the city received.

Under the proposed route, it starts from Fuente Osmeña Oval going to Osmeña Boulevard, left turn to P. del Rosario St. then proceed to Imus New Road, right turn to General Maxilom Extension, right turn to S. Osmeña Avenue, right turn to Commerce Street, right turn to Benedicto Street, left turn to General Maxilom Extension, turn left to Imus New Road, straight to P del. Rosario Street, proceed to N. Bacalso Avenue, right turn to V. Rama Avenue, right turn to B. Rodriguez Street and then to back to the Fuente Osmeña Oval.

Here is the map of the proposed road train route:

“An articulated bus is difficult to accommodate in our streets, but I think this route will work out well,” the mayor added.

The Cebu City Transportation Office will announce to the public the final route in the coming days for the testing.

Researchers from DOST and technical personnel from CCTO will be monitoring the testing of the hybrid e-train and will evaluate if it is fit for the City of Cebu, a highly urbanized city. (PR)