Cebu BRT Partially Operational by December 2021

The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) is said to ply the Cebu route in December partially despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Department of Transportation (DOTr) assistant secretary for road transport and infrastructure Mark Pastor said that the agency is optimist despite the challenges brought by the health crisis.

Due to the pandemic, many projects have been delayed since more vital projects are being focused by the government, one of which is the transportation industry.

However, the Cebu Interim Bus Service (CIBUS) resumed its operation last September 9 after months of public transportation suspension. CIBUS officially launched their operation on March 16 this year.

CIBUS, a modern public transportation was seen as an alternative to the BRT.

“The CBRT package 1 will encompass four (4) BRT stations from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Capitol along Osmeña Boulevard,” Pastor said.

Meanwhile, Pastor revealed that CBRT will be fully operational in May or June 2022. A 3-kilometer bus lane will be given to the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) – Capitol route.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Martin Delgra III said in detail that CBRT will have low floor and low entry, similar to the CIBUS which are currently operating in Cebu, it also has an Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) for cashless payment and to compliment the modernization, and to minimize physical transactions to help contain COVID-19.

Also, part of DOTr’s modernization program includes the 516 modern PUVs in the Visayas, 78 in Western Visayas; 348 in Central Visayas; and 90 in Eastern Visayas. (MLC)