Consultant Clarifies:No new routefor BRT project

CEBU, Philippines —  The planning and design specialist of Egis International, the firm that provides technical support for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Cebu City, has denied a new alignment of the BRT.

Milana Suarez told the Cebu City Council during an executive session that the alignment has not been changed, contrary to reports.

She also denied that a new alignment has shortened the route to 13 kilometers from the original 23 kilometers. She said the BRT’s route was even extended to 34 kilometers.

“It’s not because we are doing exclusive carriageway. We are preparing an integrated concept for a sustainable BRT. What does it mean? You have exclusive carriageway with a very fast carriageway and reliable frequency for the people where they know how long it would take from one point to another,” she said.

Suarez explained that the feeder services will cover Mambaling to Bulacao to Talisay City, and from I.T. Park to Banilad-Talamban.

The feeder system will use the PUV modernization program of the government in mixed traffic.

The dedicated lane where the BRT system is effective will only be applicable from SRP to I.T. Park because of concerns on lot acquisition, which delays the project, Suarez said.

Suarez said this is in preparation for the network integration for Metro Cebu, which will introduce other modes of transportation. This is targeted to be completed by 2050.

The Council called for the executive session last Tuesday purposely to be clarified of the reported new alignment, which would reportedly require re-evaluation by the Investment Coordination Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“There is too much changes that I cannot see anymore the original and why so? If we are proceeding to a new thing, how much budget it would be?” said Vice Mayor Michael Rama.

The original 23-kilometer route includes Bulacao to N. Bacalso to Osmeña Boulevard to N. Escario Street to Ayala to Banilad-Talamban corridor since this route has the most ridership when former Mayor Tomas Osmeña introduced the project in 2008.

The reported new alignment involves a shorter route of only 13 kilometers from the South Road Properties to I.T. Park.

The Council wanted to know if the change of route also means reduction of the P16.7 billion approved budget.

Osmeña himself sent a letter to NEDA-ICC on the “drastic change in trip mode served” of the BRT because of the route.

The former mayor said the feeder services from Bulacao and Talamban would mean that the people would still wait for rides by the road, get to the transfer station, get off, and fall in line again to board the BRT.

“At the other end, or at the end of the day, they will do the same, in reverse. The time lost in transfers, not to mention the inconveniences of walking and waiting in lines, are direct dis-benefits which can only accrue to diminished economic benefits,” Osmeña said.

He asked NEDA-ICC to assess the changes thoroughly.

The former mayor said any change in scope or cost of the project greater than 15 percent requires re-evaluation of NEDA ICC.

Randolph Carreon, transport expert of EGIS, said construction for the BRT will start by 2020 and significant civil works may be completed by March 2022.

The project may be able to operate partially by December 2021.

Carreon said the purchase of lots has contributed to the delay in construction. —  JMO (FREEMAN)