Construction of 5 bus terminals in Baguio City eyed

The local government is looking at strategically building and placing at least five (5) bus terminals in specific areas in Baguio to help solve decongestion along the roads in the central business district (CBD).

Eyed Bus Terminals in Baguio

South-bound

According to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the proposed terminal for south-bound buses will be built within a four-hectare portion of the Dairy Farm property. The portion of the property was turned over by the Department of Agriculture to the city in order to aid its plan to solve the problem on heavy traffic jams within the CBD.

West-bound

On the other hand, west-bound buses will be transferred to a terminal to be developed in an 8,000 square-meter property owned by Dwight Nicolas Bello in Irisan. And as Mayor Magalong said, the same area will serve as an impounding area for illegally parked vehicles towed by the city’s towing teams.

North-bound

For North-bound buses, a terminal will be constructed at the Slaughterhouse compound. But aside from this, it will also cater to a parking area to meet the need for more spaces due the increasing number of vehicles in Baguio City.

Central Bus Terminal

Moreover, the city mayor said that if successful in negotiating with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), they’re planning to convert the GSIS-owned property along Upper Session Road into the city’s central bus terminal. Alongside the terminal will be a parking area to be built aside from the six-story structure that the city is planning to construct behind the Baguio Convention Center.

Additional Parking Areas

Aside from the construction of bus terminals, Mayor Magalong also said that they’re studying the possibility of adding parking areas in the city. With this, they will be talking with owners of vacant properties along Abanao Street and Harrison Road about developing multi-level parking areas with incentives to be granted.

The solution to CBD traffic jams

According to the city mayor, successful implementation of the relocation of bus terminals, addition of parking areas and the creation of a good mass transport system will certainly lead to a significant change in the traffic conditions within the CBD. Under the said plans, only private and public utility vehicles will be allowed to pass through the main thoroughfares in the city.

In addition, Magalong also confirmed that there are already investors signifying their intention to take part in the plans to solve the city’s issues on traffic and parking.