DOTr extends BRT routes up to Talisay

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is expanding the routes of the controversial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to Talisay City.

DOTr Undersecretary Mark de Leon announced during a press conference called by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas yesterday, the expanded and improved BRT routes amid the call from Cebu City North District Rep. Raul Del Mar for a congressional hearing on the alleged shortening and realignment of the BRT routes.

De Leon clarified that the BRT routes were not shortened. In fact, these were extended to Talisay City to improve its reliability and coverage. According to   De Leon, the BRT route is now 39.88 kilometers from the original plan of 21.58 kilometers.

"The BRT routes were not shortened but in fact, expanded. Congressman del Mar must have been misinformed on this matter,"' De Leon said.

He said that the Phase 1 of the BRT system will be partially operational before December 2021. The trunk service of the Phase 1 will cover the 13.83-kilometer line from South Road Properties (SRP) to IT Park in Cebu City.

"Under this revised BRT routes there will be 84 bus stops, whereas yung dati is only about 20 bus stops," De Leon said.

There will be feeder services from I.T Park to Talamban (5.68KM), Talisay to Mambaling (7.55KM), and Talisay to SRP (7.36KM) which will also be part of the Phase 1.

De Leon said they expect the Urban Realm Enhancement program or the Port Link which stretches 1.16KM to be done before December 2021. He said DOTr wants to adopt a "Multi-basket of solutions" in the implementation of the Intermodal and Integrated Transport Project for Cebu.

The multi-basket of solutions includes the BRT, monorail, cable cars, and passageways for bicycles and pedestrians.

"Kasi hindi pwede na isang mode of mass transportation lang ang solution sa traffic ng Cebu. Dapat it’s a multi-basket of solutions," De Leon said

He said the budget remains at P16 billion for BRT system which was already approved by the National Economic and Development Authority. De Leon assured the riding public that the fare would be comparable and reasonable with the existing transport mode.

OPAV Secretary Michael Dino, for his part, said the government is not giving any preference to the business sector in SRP but is only implementing what the original plan was and is improving it.

"Enough is enough. Si Congressman Raul del Mar with the BRT situation before, he never said anything. But now, we are in the final stages of the improved BRT system, and he is trying to sound knowledgeable without even knowing the real score. I’m sorry to say but what he was spouting was really nonsense,” Dino said

He added that both the national government and the local government units involved are all united. Dino likewise urged the Cebuanos to support the implementation of these projects.

"We will implement all these projects. Dili ra ni pulos istorya. This will be the most interesting times for Cebu," Dino said.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Council has requested the DOTr through its technical support consultant to meet and review with the Cebu City Transportation Office the traffic light system incorporated in the BRT.

In a resolution, Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr. said the CCTO has included in the P2.5 billion Supplemental Budget at least P250 million for the digital traffic system of the city.

“One integral component for the successful operation of the BRT is a well-designed traffic operation system that involves the development of traffic control management,” he said.

He said the allocated P16.3 billion to implement the BRT project probably has an amount earmarked for the development of a traffic operation system that would meet the demands of the said project.

Archival said Egis International, TSC of BRT, reported during the executive session last August 20 that the BRT is scheduled for construction in 2020 with the project having partial operability in 2021.

“To ensure that the CCTO’s request for budget in the amount of P250,000,000 will not be redundant with the budget allocated by the BRT project for the same purpose, thus avoiding redundancy and wastage of public funds,” he added. — FPL (FREEMAN)