DOST to pilot test E-trains in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology will provide electronic train for call center agents in Cebu City.

Joel Yu, point person for business and economic development of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, said that E-train would be useful to address the need for transportation of call center agents.

"We're seeing this as one of the possible ways to which we can assist the transport needs of call center agents," he said.

He said two units of E-train are expected to arrive soon. Each has a capacity of 60 passengers. The project will also serve as pilot test to find out if there is a need for this type of transportation in the city.

 The DOST will only deploy two to three couches for easy maneuver. Cebu City Transportation Office acting head Rafael Yap said the E-train would be free of charge.

He said the city government will market it to private sectors that are willing to operate the system.

"With that technology try ta'g market sa private sector kinsay interested to build and to operate the system. This is not proprietary," Yap said.

After the field test they will return the two units of E-train to the DOST if there is no interested private sector to operate it.

Yu said they are now in the process of indentifying the ideal routes where the E-trains are to be deployed. He said the primary consideration is the high concentration of call center agents.

The deployment of E-trains is part of the Memorandum of Agreement entered into by the CCTO and DOST Secretary Mario Montejo last year.

"This is part of the MOA we signed last year with DOST Secretary Mario Montejo and part of the duty of the city is to field test it. If it can be tested and as well as service our clientele in BPO industry," Yap said.

Osmeña said this is also part of his program to assist the call center agents. (FREEMAN)