Cebu BRT project finally breaks ground
Published Feb 27, 2023 08:16 am
CEBU CITY – The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project here finally broke ground on Monday, Feb. 27, more than a decade after it was conceptualized.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony at the Fuente Osmeña Circle.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is welcomed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit on Monday, Feb. 27. (Photo via Calvin Cordova)
Joining Marcos in the groundbreaking ceremony were Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, Mayor Michael Rama, and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
In his speech, the President said the P16-billion project will recalibrate the transport system in Cebu.
“This is something that we have been discussing for a very, very long time. We must commend the DOTR for initiating the first BRT project in the Philippines. As usual, nauna naman ang Cebu (Cebu is first once again). Cebu once again leads the way,” Marcos said.
In the undertaking of the project, Marcos reminded the DOTR to “to ensure the just compensation of the property owners who will be affected by the CBRT project.”
“I also urge you to find ways to properly relocate the affected informal settler families,” the President added.
Partial operations of the mass transport system could start in the fourth quarter. Its full operations could be in the second quarter of 2025.
“I would also take the opportunity to finish this project within the target completion timeline. I think that if we in fact start operations on December, that would be the best possible Christmas gift to Cebu,” said Marcos.
The President assured that the project was planned thoroughly by the local and national government.
Marcos appealed for patience as the construction of the project may cause inconvenience to motorists.
“As we begin this project, I know there will be slight inconveniences and traffic congestion as if Cebu does not have enough but we have to accommodate the construction process for the greater benefits that will come in the future. I invite everyone to remain patient, be considerate as these temporary disturbances and interruptions are aimed at pushing long-term benefits for the city and for the province,” the President said.
The CBRT is modeled after the BRT systems in Bogota, Colombia; Curitiba, Brazil; Seoul, South Korea, and Guangzhou, China.
The CBRT involves 13.18 kilometers of segregated lanes with 17 stations, one depot, and one trunk terminal from South Road Properties (SRP) in south district to the IT Park in the north district here.
The system will also include a 22/1-kilometer Feeder Line System, which will run over mixed traffic with two feeder terminals and 76 bus stops across the province of Cebu. Each bus can accommodate up to 90 passengers.
The project has three packages:
Package 1 involves the construction of a 2.38-km segregated bus lane (SBL) with four bus stations and 1.15-km of pedestrian improvement lane which will be linked to the port.
Package 2 will have the construction of the 10.8-km SBL with 13 bus stations, including one bus terminal in SRP, roundabout facility in IT Park, and one depot in SRP.
Package 3 will involve the construction of the 22.1-km feeder route with 76 bus stops, including feeder terminals in Barangay Talamban here and Talisay City.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is welcomed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit on Monday, Feb. 27. (Photo via Calvin Cordova)
Joining Marcos in the groundbreaking ceremony were Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, Mayor Michael Rama, and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
In his speech, the President said the P16-billion project will recalibrate the transport system in Cebu.
“This is something that we have been discussing for a very, very long time. We must commend the DOTR for initiating the first BRT project in the Philippines. As usual, nauna naman ang Cebu (Cebu is first once again). Cebu once again leads the way,” Marcos said.
In the undertaking of the project, Marcos reminded the DOTR to “to ensure the just compensation of the property owners who will be affected by the CBRT project.”
“I also urge you to find ways to properly relocate the affected informal settler families,” the President added.
Partial operations of the mass transport system could start in the fourth quarter. Its full operations could be in the second quarter of 2025.
“I would also take the opportunity to finish this project within the target completion timeline. I think that if we in fact start operations on December, that would be the best possible Christmas gift to Cebu,” said Marcos.
The President assured that the project was planned thoroughly by the local and national government.
Marcos appealed for patience as the construction of the project may cause inconvenience to motorists.
“As we begin this project, I know there will be slight inconveniences and traffic congestion as if Cebu does not have enough but we have to accommodate the construction process for the greater benefits that will come in the future. I invite everyone to remain patient, be considerate as these temporary disturbances and interruptions are aimed at pushing long-term benefits for the city and for the province,” the President said.
The CBRT is modeled after the BRT systems in Bogota, Colombia; Curitiba, Brazil; Seoul, South Korea, and Guangzhou, China.
The CBRT involves 13.18 kilometers of segregated lanes with 17 stations, one depot, and one trunk terminal from South Road Properties (SRP) in south district to the IT Park in the north district here.
The system will also include a 22/1-kilometer Feeder Line System, which will run over mixed traffic with two feeder terminals and 76 bus stops across the province of Cebu. Each bus can accommodate up to 90 passengers.
The project has three packages:
Package 1 involves the construction of a 2.38-km segregated bus lane (SBL) with four bus stations and 1.15-km of pedestrian improvement lane which will be linked to the port.
Package 2 will have the construction of the 10.8-km SBL with 13 bus stations, including one bus terminal in SRP, roundabout facility in IT Park, and one depot in SRP.
Package 3 will involve the construction of the 22.1-km feeder route with 76 bus stops, including feeder terminals in Barangay Talamban here and Talisay City.