DOTr: Cebu Bus Rapid Transit operational by next month

Local

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting March 2026 for the initial operations of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, with Package 1 now 97 percent complete, according to Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

In an interview on Friday, Feb. 20, Lopez said the remaining three percent of the project involves final punch-list items and compliance requirements to ensure that the infrastructure aligns with approved plans and international standards.

“As of now, we are at 97 percent. We are fixing the remaining three percent. We are targeting March, hopefully this March,” Lopez said, referring to the initial operational phase next year.

He explained that the unfinished portion primarily involves documentation and validation processes required for government and foreign-assisted projects.

“When it comes to government projects, it’s not enough that you see it physically completed. You have to ensure that it aligns with the program of works and the design. That is mandatory,” he said.

The Cebu BRT is funded through a ₱28.78-billion loan from the World Bank, making compliance requirements more stringent.

Before full commercial rollout, the DOTr will conduct a dry run to test operations and identify potential issues.

“To avoid hiccups once operational, we will conduct a dry run. If there are problems, let us know. We welcome comments, whether constructive criticisms or not. Rest assured, we will address them,” Lopez said.

Package 1, worth ₱990 million, covers a 2.38-kilometer stretch from the Cebu South Bus Terminal to the Cebu Provincial Capitol via Osmeña Boulevard. The segment is designed to operate independently, allowing initial stations and busways to function while other portions of the system remain under development.

Originally scheduled for full operations by the second quarter of 2025, the project encountered delays due to procurement changes and administrative adjustments.

With the World Bank loan deadline set for September 2026, Lopez acknowledged that completing the entire system within the timeframe may be challenging.

As a contingency, the DOTr is studying the possibility of implementing the remaining components through a public-private partnership (PPP), under which private entities could assist in completing civil works and potentially handle operations and maintenance.

The agency plans to undertake market sounding and feasibility studies before proceeding to bidding, if the PPP option is pursued.

Discussions also continue over the proposed Capitol Station.

The World Bank prefers the station to be located along the road median, consistent with international BRT standards.

However, resolutions and an ordinance from the Cebu Provincial Board prohibit permanent structures on the road median fronting the Capitol due to heritage and aesthetic concerns.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has reached out to provincial officials to help resolve the issue.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro is expected to meet with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to determine the province’s position as the DOTr awaits clearance.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Winston Pepito, chairman of the committee on transportation, expressed support for the BRT but admitted to having “mixed feelings” about launching initial operations while the system remains incomplete.

“I support the Cebu BRT. But I have mixed feelings because it is not yet fully operational. It’s like eating rice that is only half-cooked,” Pepito said.

He noted that the current route under Package 1 is relatively short, which may limit the system’s effectiveness and public appreciation.

“The route is still short. The public may not fully realize its benefits. If you extend it toward IT Park, it will mix with traffic, especially along Escario. The idea of BRT is zero traffic,” he said.

Pepito earlier appealed directly to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fast-track the completion of the project.

In a February 8 letter addressed to the President and coursed through Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Pepito described the BRT as a critical response to Cebu City’s worsening traffic congestion and unreliable public transport system.

“As the country’s second-largest metropolitan area, Cebu plays a vital role in national growth, yet its people continue to suffer from severe traffic congestion and unreliable mobility,” Pepito said in his letter.(TGP)