Citom chief favors multi-modal transport

A highly urbanized city like Cebu City needs a multi-modal public transport that is not only limited to jeepneys and the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) according to Cebu City Integrity Traffic Operations Management (Citom) Board Chairman Ruben Almendras.

He said the city still has room to accommodate an Automated Gateway Transit (AGT) system proposed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

No obstacle

“There is no obstacle for Cebu City to have a multi-system public transport. We can have the BRT for specific routes, electric trolleys in certain routes, the regular buses and jeepneys in other routes. We may even have the Light Rail Transit in some areas if the demand is there and if it is financially viable. Hong Kong and a lot of other cities have multi-transport system,” Almendras said in a Sept. 16 letter to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Rama wants Almendras’ proposal to be studied.

“Everything will be adjustable. What is important is that it is implementable and supported with logistical requirement,” the mayor told reporters yesterday.

Rama left for Manila after his press conference to attend to several concerns, one of which is a visit to the DOST office to further discuss the AGT system.

DOTC officials earlier assured Rama that the city’s plan to have a BRT system will be re-introduced to the NEDA board for its third quarter meeting scheduled this month.

But the month is about to end and Rama has not received a word from DOTC on the city’s BRT proposal.

While he is still interested in having a BRT here, Rama said, he will no longer ask DOTC about the proposal and will just consider other mass transport options.