Cebu City BRT system to open 1,500 new jobs

AT least 500 skilled public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers can be hired for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme, said consultant Colin Brader.

He sought to allay fears that the new scheme would deprive jeepney drivers of livelihood.

In a media briefing yesterday, one of a series for various groups, Brader said  that for the 240 buses and 14 stations of the mass transit from Bulacao to Talamban, at least 1,500 jobs will be available for drivers, staff members, managers, maintenance, and other positions.

No matter what is the PUJ driver’s education attainment,  “as long as he is skilled enough and able, and a good driver, he can be hired.”

Brader said each bus would need two drivers, and that jeepneys are still needed in the BRT setup.

For road intersections, he said , a signalized traffic system will be in place to flash red (stop) for vehicles when a BRT bus is about to cross. But he said details still need to be worked out with Citom traffic managers.

A contingency plan for power outages is being looked into as well, he said.

One benefit of BRT, he said, is that road  accidents would decrease since the bus would have their own lane in the middle of the road, while  cars,motorcycles, PUJ and taxis share another lane.

As proposed, the BRT can carry 300, 000 people daily with 30, 000 trips.

Pedestrians will be encouraged to use tree-shaded sidewalks and not the roads anymore.

They target start of construction is October next but this will depend on lot acquisition for road widening, he said. Brader said he is confident that since this will be a World Bank funded project, this will not be a problem.

The sidewalks, two-lane main line roads and the BRT running lanes will use 25 meters.

“Flyovers are not a problem, Flyover and BRT can exist together,” he added.

Present in the briefing at the Grand Convention Center were Rep. Tomas Osmeña followed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who arrived later.

The two occupied separate tables and ignored each other.

Osmena, who left midway, said in an interview that he was proud of the BRT system since he was the one who championed it for Cebu City as city mayor until the present.

He said he considers the BRT his pet project next to the 300-hectare South Road Properties.

Mayor Rama said his administration was supporting the BRT as well./Correspondent Fe Marie D. Dumaboc