BRT scheme for Cebu city ‘needs more study’

PROPONENTS of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will have to work harder to convince President Aquino that this is the right solution to Cebu City’s worsening traffic.

Aquino was asked in a news conference in Lapu-Lapu City whether he would restore the BRT in his list of priority projects since a mass transit system was a priority of both Rep. Tomas Osmena and Rep. Eduardo Gullas, who favors a Light Rail Transit.

“Traffic in Cebu is a perpetual problem, he said. Maganda yung concept pero iba pa rin yung sinubukan mo na,” Aquino said of the BRT.

(The BRT concept is good, but it’s better if we adopt a system that is already tried and tested.)

He said more studies and refinements are needed.

“We are still in the trial phase to look into its problems so that when the system is finally brought to Cebu, we’ll be able to operate it smoothly. But unfortunately, it will take time because of so many limitations,” he said.

He cited a failed bus transit scheme that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) experimented on Edsa in Metro Manila last March.

What was supposed to be a three-day test run for the Bus Link Project of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT3) on Edsa was so problematic on the morning it was launched prompting the DOTC to suspend the scheme in the afternoon. The project was intended to address the lack of MRT trains and reduce overcrowding at the terminals especially during rush hours, by offering buses to MRT passengers who wish to avoid the long lines.

The DOTC will be conducting another test run of the Bus Link Project.

The Edsa experiment failed because we lack the infrastructure, said Aquino.

“Similarly with the BRT, we’ll be getting one lane for the buses which in effect will deprive road users of one lane and will pile up traffic volume on the remaining lane.”

The President likewise cited concerns that the government will have to address should a Light Railway Transit (LRT) is built in Cebu.

He said the government would have to face right-of-way issues as well as the possibility of historical sites getting affected with its construction.

Funds to provide solutions to Cebu’s transportation problem will not be an issue.

“Funding is the least of the problems pero hindi naman porke’t may pera, tapon lang ng tapon dyan. Kailangan sigurado tayo. Pinondohan natin ito, dapat may pakinabang,” the President said.

(Just because we have funds doesnt’ mean we’ll just spend right away. We have to be sure of what we’re spending for. It must be beneficial.)