DOTr, Ayala break ground on Taguig terminal hub; operations begin in 2028

A glimpse at the future Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange (Ayala Land photo)

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Ayala Land Inc. led a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Feb. 3, for the much-anticipated Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange (TCITX), which is expected to provide greater access to Metro Manila from those coming from Southern Luzon.

The TCITX, a multi-modal terminal located in Taguig’s Arca South, will span 5.57 hectares and is expected to handle 160,000 passengers and 5,200 vehicles daily.

In his keynote address, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista hailed this “transformative infrastructure” as part of the government’s commitment to make travel more convenient, comfortable, and accessible for every Filipino.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our continuous pursuit of a modern, efficient, and seamless transportation system,” said Bautista.

Expected to be fully operational by 2028, the DOTr chief said this new hub will redefine how commuters navigate through Metro Manila.

Just as the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) serves as a key transfer point for passengers from Cavite, the TCITX also aims to link those coming from Laguna and Batangas.

The upcoming facility will seamlessly connect passengers within the capital region’s transportation network, connecting in-city and provincial buses, taxis, and other public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Once operational, the TCITX will also be connected to the North-South Commuter Railway and Metro Manila Subway Project—which are both under construction.

The hub will feature a centralized ticketing area, a passenger concourse, waiting areas, arrival and departure bays, and a pedestrian walkway, among other key components.

The TCITX is a public-private partnership (PPP) project awarded to Ayala Land, through its subsidiary Arca South Integrated Terminals Inc., under a a Build-Operate-Transfer scheme. This agreement has a 35-year concessionaire period.

Essentially, this means that Ayala will undertake the construction of the facility, including financing, operation, and maintenance thereof. The company shall operate the hub over the fixed term, where they are allowed to charge users with necessary fees, until it is transferred to the government at the end of term.

Ten years in the making, Ayala was awarded with this project in 2015 under the Aquino administration.

A groundbreaking ceremony was even held in 2018, but construction activities stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic alongside right-of-way issues.

Bautista acknowledged that the resumption of the hub’s development would not have been possible without the combined support of government and private sector partners.

“Your dedication, expertise, and shared commitment to transforming our transportation sector fuel our determination to push boundaries and drive meaningful progress,” he explained.

The Transportation Secretary said the success of the TCITX is closely linked to the development of the Skyway Stage 4 project, otherwise known as the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME).

“Hindi magiging sustainable itong TCITX without the SEMME (The TCITX will not be sustainable without the SEMME),” he told reporters.

Also on Monday, the DOTr together with Ayala Land and San Miguel Corp. (SMC) signed a Right-of-Way Usage Agreement (ROWUA) to link Arca South to the SEMME.

The 33-km toll road, a combination of elevated and at-grade expressways, will enhance connectivity between Taguig and the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

From the present 1 hour and 50 minutes of travel time, the DOTr said it would be cut down to less than 30 minutes.