Flyovers won’t affect BRT, Tomas says

THE flyover projects in Cebu City will not affect implementation of the proposed multibillion-peso Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, said Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.

Osmeña, a BRT proponent, said he assured World Bank officials who were worried that the flyovers will affect the BRT system.

He said this could be solved by expanding certain flyovers to four lanes to allow the buses to pass by.

“The BRT requires four lanes of road but in certain areas that can be easily addressed,” he told Cebu Daily News.

Osmeña said World Bank officials agreed in “principle” to grant Cebu City a loan to fund the BRT project.

“I will see to it that the infrastructure portion repayment will be done by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC),” the congressman said.

Osmeña said other aspects like its rolling stock and other equipment needed for its operation may be covered by those to be tapped to manage its operation.

“We need national government’s help because the private sector is reluctant to pay for the infrastructure and the widening of roads,” he said.

Cebu City would need P1.4 billion alone for the BRT project at the South Road Properties (SRP).

The Cities Development Initiative in Asia (CDIA) commissioned the Integrated Transport Planning (ITP) to conduct the feasibility study of the BRT in the SRP.

ITP chief Colin Brader presented their study before the Cebu City Council last Wednesday afternoon.

Brader said the BRT will be done in two phases.

The first phase to be completed in 2013 will cover infrastructure for the transport system within the BRT.

It will be incorporated with the traffic system outside the SRP.

The second phase to be done two years later will connect to a pilot route in barangay Mambaling and coastal areas. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac