Commuting around Metro Cebu might get a little easier by the end of the year. That's because the Department of Transport (DOTr) announced that they are working overtime to complete the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system.
During the inauguration of the new Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7) building in Cebu City, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade gave a progress report on the BRT. The secretary said that the procurement process for the project will start soon in order to catch up to the target date. The agency said that they are aiming for construction to begin by April 2021.
The Cebu BRT aims to reduce the worsening congestion in the city. It's also one of the many traffic-alleviating plans the DOTr has in mind for Visayas' busiest metropolis. The DOTr adds that they want the bus line to be partially opened before the end of 2021. According to the DOTr, the project's projected cost is PHP 16.5 billion.
“We need to improve and modernize the public transport system of Cebu City and the Province of Cebu and in various places in Region 7,” said Tugade. He also challenged local officials to form the Metro Cebu Traffic Authority to manage congestion and come up with solutions for the city.
Aside from the BRT, the agency also has two monorail systems in mind. One is a 17.7-kilometers railway known as the Cebu Central Line, and the other is a 9.3-kilometer railway to form the Cebu Airport Line. A cable car system was also proposed to serve those coming from the hinterland villages in the city.
