New transport system by 2020

Including BRT, LRT

CEBU, Philippines — Components of the Metro Cebu Integrated Intermodal Transport System (MCIITS) are projected to be operational by 2020, including the Cebu-Light Rail Transit and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

This according to Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino in a press release yesterday following a meeting with the Department of Transportation and the technical service consultant for the BRT and LRT.

The MCIITS aims to address the worsening problem of vehicle traffic in Cebu. Phase one involves the LRT and BRT, and their common stations.

“Phase 1 will become operational and give Cebuano commuters the feel and experience of a modern and green transport project,” a portion of the press release reads.

Considering that the BRT is now in the detailed engineering design stage and the LRT is in the proposal evaluation stage, DOTr projects that construction can commence next year.

Last month, DOTr Undersecretary Mark Richmund De Leon confirmed that the BRT project is still a go despite being delayed for three years.

The BRT will be implemented in wider road networks in Cebu City. Phase one of the project covers the areas from the South Road Properties (SRP) to Barangay Capitol Site.

Dino said the rail system is a more feasible mass transport system in Cebu.

“LRT shall be the main transport backbone that will cover the entire stretch of the metropolis. The transport needs of Cebu are felt even beyond the metro so that this LRT system will ferry substantial number of passengers from one point to another,” he said.

The LRT system will connect Carcar City in the south to Danao City in the north.

Meanwhile, the BRT and other transport components of MCIITS will serve as “feeder lines” of the LRT.

“It will adopt a ‘loop system’ and will travel like carousel in selected roads, which are wider in order to avoid traffic congestions in BRT routes and other peripheral thoroughfares,” Dino said.

MCIITS stations will be connected to different landmarks through walkalators and covered walkways.

Dino said Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, pregnant women, and children will be the direct beneficiaries of the MCIITS common stations because these will connect them to other transport systems. (FREEMAN)