CEBU CITY may finally see Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) buses on the road next month, if the contractor beats yet another deadline.

Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr. said he wants buses under the CBRT system to begin operating, at least on a trial basis, by the first week of July 2025.

But with civil works still visibly lagging, Archival expressed doubts whether the contractor, Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co. Ltd., can finish Package 1 by the June 30 deadline as committed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“Kung ako na sa July 1, atong tan-awon kung pwede na nato mapadaganan ug bus ang Package 1,” Archival said in an interview, following an inspection of the construction site along Osmeña Boulevard.

The 2.38-kilometer Package 1 segment stretches from the Cebu South Bus Terminal on N. Bacalso Avenue to the Cebu Provincial Capitol and forms part of the long-delayed Phase 1 of the CBRT.

Archival said he will convene the technical working group in the coming weeks to prepare for the potential dry run, which may involve a unit from Ceres Bus Liner.

However, Archival expressed strong concern over the visible lack of manpower and incomplete bus stations and sidewalks along the route.

“Gamay ra kaayo ang tawo nga nagtrabaho. Tan-aw nako kon dili na nila butangan og daghang tao, dili gyud na mahuman,” he said. “Kung naa pay nagtutok ani, mahuman na unta ni gyud nga klaro.”

The incoming mayor is scheduled to meet with the contractor on Tuesday, June 10, to demand an update and push for expedited work on the segment.

Package 1 was originally set for completion in late 2023. Since then, the deadline has been moved several times, first to the first quarter of 2024, then to March 5, and later to June 30.

In June 2024, CBRT officials confirmed an “indefinite delay” in the completion of civil works, partly due to a suspension order from Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia affecting portions of Osmeña Boulevard near heritage zones.

Now, nearly a year later, even basic infrastructure such as sidewalks remains unfinished, Archival observed.

“Ang edges mubo kaayo. Kung mag-uwan, manaktak ang soil ngadto sa sidewalk. Dili gyud ni siya ready,” he said.

The current construction is part of Phase 1 of the CBRT, which covers 13.18 kilometers and will include 17 stations, a terminal, and a depot.

The full system is not expected to be operational until 2027. Project costs have also risen significantly, from the original P16.3 billion to P28.78 billion.

Archival warned that the contractor’s continued underperformance could have serious consequences.

“If they fail to deliver, they may no longer be eligible to implement the succeeding CBRT packages,” he said.

“Ang paghuman o sa dili, mao nay dakong tulubagon sa gobiyerno. But I doubt kon mahuman… Let’s just give them the benefit of the doubt,” he added.

Archival said his administration will push to accelerate the CBRT’s implementation and hold project implementers accountable.

He also raised concerns that prolonged delays could jeopardize the project’s funding support from the World Bank.

Despite his doubts, Archival stressed he remains committed to moving the CBRT forward, starting with a dry run of the buses as soon as possible.

“First week of July, makasuway nata og padagan og bus. Suway lang ba, para matan-aw nato og masangko ba ang bus sa station,” he said.(TGP)

• Tags
• #Cebu Bus Rapid Transit
• #CBRT
• #Contractor
• #Nestor Archival Sr.
• #July 2025
• #Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co. Ltd.
• #Package 1
• #Department of Transportation
• #DOTr
• #Osmeña Boulevard
• #N. Bacalso Avenue
• #Cebu Provincial Capitol