BRT exhibit draws public interest in project
THE Bus Rapid Transit project exhibit in the City Hall yesterday drew interested from curious onlookers.
The project exhibit is part of the information drive to educate the public on the proposed modern mass transport system in Cebu City.
According to proponents the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will be called TransCebu buses.
These buses with a length of about 14 meters will ply busy city roads on dedicated lanes and elevated terminals.
“The exhibit will make people understand how BRT works in Cebu,” said Jim Bradley, a member of the BRT feasibility study team.
After viewing the exhibit, Alberto Amora, 60, said that he would prefer the BRT over jeepneys.
“Maayo ug nindot ang BRT kontra anang jeep—mga abusado kaayo,” Amora said.
(This is good. The BRT is better than jeepneys whose drivers are very abusive.)
Amora, said that though BRT will not pass through his residence in Labangon, he would still prefer to ride it even if it takes him another ride to reach Mambaling where the bus passes.
Phase 1 of the proposed BRT will have the following route: Bulacao – Ayala – Talamban, traversing N. Bacalso Avenue, Osmeña Boulevard, Escario Street and the Banilad-Talamban road.
Fritzie Gonzaga, member of the feasibility study team said that there are 240 buses initially be operating on the first quarter of 2015
The Phase 2 route would cover the South Road Properties (SRP).
Linda Alfaro, 53, a realty agent of San Remo Oasis of Filinvest said the BRT will help her get more clients especially if phase 2 will be implemented.
“Ang concern sa akong clients kay wala’y jeep moagi sa SRP,” Alfaro said.
(The concern of my clients is that jeepneys do not ply the SRP.) Alfaro also said that it will lessen their transportation expenses.
“Mas maayo ni kay maka save ta kaysa sa taxi,” she said.
(This is better as we can save compared to taking the taxi.)
Colin Bradley, lead consultant of the BRT project said that they are already wrapping up their feasibility study for phase 1 of the project.
They are set to finish it by end of August and submit it to the national government and the World Bank.
A loan agreement for the $185 million project may be out by January next year.
“The project funding from the World Bank, I think is good as approved,” Brader told Cebu Daily News. /Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao
