Govt exec admits jeeps, buses may go; pushes for consultations on BRT

Even as concerns over displacement of buses and jeepneys needs to be addressed, “an open mind” may be needed to modernize public transport, said a government executive.

“There is clearly a need for this sector to be consulted. I have asked the TWG to invite them (drivers) for a dialogue,” said Ahmed Cuizon, regional director for Region 7 of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

However, he pointed out the need to accept the eventual phase out of jeepneys like what happened to the tartanilla as a mode of public transportation.

“Let’s open our minds that once upon a time what happened to tartanilla will happen to jeepneys. Besides, jeepneys were supposed to be temporary vehicles after the second World War,” he added.

The LTFRB official said he wants more consultations with public utility transport stakeholders on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit project.

Some jeepney routes will vanish or be affected by the BRT which will serve an express route from barangay Bulacao in the south to Talamban in the north, passing through Osmena Boulevard, Fuente Osmeña and the Capitol.

A team of World Bank experts led by British national Colin Brader is wrapping up a feasibility study of the BRT, which was patterned after models in Brazil and Colombia in South America.

Brader earlier said that funding for the $185-million project from the World Bank (WB) is  “good as approved” and they are only fine tuning the feasibility study.

He said the study will end in August and be submitted to the WB and the Philippine government for a bilateral financial agreement.

Brader said consultations will be held with public utility transport drivers and operators.

Brader denied that the BRT would cause PUJ drivers and operators to lose their jobs. He said jeepneys are still needed to serve secondary routes since the BRT doesn’t reach all parts of Cebu City and that the BRT would need more than 400 drivers.

Meanwhile, Cuizon said that while the jeepney and bus routes covered by the BRT may disappear, these modes of transportation may still have to stay for a longer time.

“We can pursue refranchising of jeepneys into school or company shuttles, or open the back portion and convert the unit into a truck for hire in sea ports, air ports and delivery vehicle of establishments,” Cuizon said.

Phase 1 of the BRT will cover the 16 km stretch from barangay Bulacao to Talamban in Cebu City will involved 191 specially designed buses.

As scheduled, the BRT will start operations in 2013 and be completed by 2015.