DOTr targets partial operation of Cebu BRT within year

MANILA: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking into the partial operability of one of the essential segments of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT) within the year. This is in line with the order of Secretary Arthur Tugade for round-the-clock construction.

During a meeting in Cebu last January 20, Secretary Tugade explained that he wanted Package 1 of the Cebu BRT to be in partial operation this year to cater to the mobility needs of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The transport chief gave orders to the Cebu BRT project management team and other transport officials involved to enforce a 24/7 construction work schedule, which will comprise three work shifts that will also pave the way for employment of local citizens of, especially those who have no livelihood at this time due to the pandemic.

Secretary Tugade also emphasized that the project personnel and contractor with major responsibilities in the Cebu BRT project must be residents of Cebu, and that 90% of the total work force for the initiative must also be Cebuanos.

Secretary Tugade shared, “While I’m addressing our program of projects, I am addressing the need of the economy and I’m addressing the requirements of the pandemic. These are extraordinary times. They need extraordinary processes.” 

He also ordered to ensure that the timetable of project completion and work schedule both happen before the election ban in 2022, and that the procurement procedure should be efficiently monitored.

During his meeting with the Cebu BRT project management team, Secretary Tugade was given updates regarding the recent status of the initiative’s key components, specifically Package 1, which comprises the 2.6-kilometer busway, with four stations, essential intersection enhancements, and urban realm improvement. To date, Package 1 has reached the procurement phase.

The 13.2-kilometer bus rapid transit lane will cross the South Road Properties (SRP) through Mambaling, IT Park, with 17 stations, one  depot, and two terminals.

Aside from the BRT, a 20.2-kilometer bus feeder system to operate with mixed traffic, paired with shelters or sidewalk bus stops will be set along specific routes, namely, Talisay-SRP, Mambaling-Bulacao, and Cebu IT Park-Talamban.

Upon completion and full operability, the Cebu BRT targets to cater to about 60,000 passengers a day.

According to Secretary Tugade, the launching of the Cebu BRT will boost passenger mobility along the corridors of this initiative. It is also expected to offer an effective, cost-efficient, convenient, and quick alternative and to produce less emissions to help mitigate both global and local pollution.

Furthermore, in another meeting, Secretary Tugade talked with Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino regarding the status of transport infrastructure initiatives in the region.

The two officials acknowledged the need to speed up key transport infrastructure projects, which include the Cebu BRT, to enable the regional economy to achieve recovery amid the pandemic.

Secretary Dino emphasized, “We thank and appreciate the efforts of the DOTr to fast-track the implementation of the various infrastructure projects here in the Visayas, especially the Cebu BRT, for they will be a great help to ease the transport concerns of our kababayans. Our office is willing to provide whatever assistance we may extend to ensure the expeditious completion of these crucial projects." 

Along with Secretary Tugade, those who were present during the meeting about the Cebu BRT project were Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra III, Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, BRT Project Head and Philippine Railway Institute (PRI) Executive Director Undersecretary Anneli R. Lontoc, Chief of Staff/Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez, and DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Garry De Guzman.

Rendering from the Cebu City BRT Facebook page

Also read: DOTr records over 2-M ridership on free shuttle service for health workers