No timetable yet for CBRT project launch

Local

THE official launch of Phase 1 of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project remains in limbo.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed that no inauguration date has been set as the city awaits scheduling from the national government.

During a recent press conference, Archival said there are still no concrete plans for the ceremonial launch of the long-delayed transport system’s initial operations.

“We are still waiting for the national government for the schedule,” the mayor said when asked for updates.

The CBRT, touted as the country’s first bus rapid transit system, has faced repeated postponements over the past year, including resets from Malacañang on earlier proposed launch dates.

Amid the uncertainty, Councilor Winston Pepito, chairman of the committee on transportation, has formally appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize and fast-track the project’s completion.

In a letter dated Feb. 8 addressed to the President through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Pepito described the CBRT as a “long-delayed initiative” critical to addressing Cebu City’s worsening transportation crisis.

“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 wrote.

He said the BRT system offers “a modern, efficient, and high-capacity public transport system” that could significantly improve daily commuting and productivity.

“Completing the Cebu BRT under your administration will deliver immediate benefits to millions of Cebuanos and will stand as a defining achievement of your leadership in the Visayas,” Pepito added.

He urged Malacañang to elevate the CBRT as a national priority and ensure strong inter-agency coordination and executive oversight to push the project forward.

The uncertainty surrounding the Phase 1 launch follows a series of delays confirmed by both City Hall and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In previous briefings, Archival said the city had tentatively eyed December 12 for the inaugural activity, pending confirmation of President Marcos’ attendance. That schedule, however, was not finalized.

Earlier proposed dry runs and ceremonial launches, including a November 5 inauguration that would have featured a presidential ride, were also scrapped due to weather disturbances and logistical concerns.

The repeated resets have also raised concerns over project financing.

The World Bank earlier withdrew funding support for CBRT Packages 2 and 3, citing slow implementation. It retained financing for Package 1 but warned that continued support would depend on substantial progress before the loan expires in 2026.

The Philippines had secured $116 million from the World Bank and an additional $25 million from the Clean Technology Fund for the CBRT project.

The multilateral lender has since encouraged the government to accelerate construction and explore private sector participation to ensure completion.

Phase 1, also referred to as Package 1, covers approximately 13 kilometers of dedicated bus lanes with 17 stations stretching from the South Road Properties (SRP) to Cebu IT Park.

Once operational, the system is expected to serve thousands of commuters daily and ease congestion along major corridors including N. Bacalso Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, and Escario Street.

First proposed in the 1990s, the CBRT has been delayed by leadership transitions, right-of-way disputes, heritage issues, route adjustments, and scheduling changes.(TGP)