LTFRB to consult transport groups on P10-B Cebu bus project

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to meet transport groups in Cebu on the 23-kilometer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said Board will be issuing an order to their regional office to hold a dialogue with transport groups and drivers on the BRT project.

Ginez was recently in Cebu to inspect the proposed BRT route.

The BRT is an alternative transport mode in Cebu to reduce the riding public's dependence on passenger jeepneys and give more road space to private vehicles.

Close 200 BRT units will be plying Cebu once the project becomes operational in 2017. The proposed BRT route will use the center island of Osmeña Boulevard for dedicated bus lanes and passenger terminals.

"Isang malaking proyekto ang BRT na magkakaron ng significant na impact sa mga mananakay sa Cebu kaya kailangan nating mapakinggan ang opinion ng iba't ibang sector para maging smooth ang implementation ng programa," Ginez said.

The Board also conducted a workshop and dialogue among stakeholders on the BRT project.

Detailed engineering studies for the P10.6 billion BRT project are expected to start early this year and will take eight months to complete.

Ginez also met with executives of mall operator SM Group in Cebu to discuss the possible deployment of modern buses from Talisay City Hall to Mactan-Cebu International airport.