SM Wants Dedicated Lanes for Hybrid Buses Plying SRP

(PNA) — SM, one of the investors at the South Road Properties (SRP), has requested for dedicated or priority lanes for the high quality public transport system (HQPTS) that will be operated in the area.

The HQPTS are hybrid buses that will serve as public transportation at the SRP while the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is not yet in place.

The P10.6-billion BRT is set to be operational by 2017 yet.

Some 69 buses that can carry 50 passengers per unit will be deployed by the third quarter of this year in anticipation of the opening of the SM Seaside City Complex of SM Prime Holdings Inc. in September.

The P8.5-billion SM Seaside City Cebu is touted to become the biggest shopping mall in the Visayas and Mindanao.

SM requested for the deployment of HQPTS at the SRP, which has no public transport at present.

In a letter to City BRT Head Rafael Yap dated Feb. 4, SM regional operations manager for the Visayas Sherry Tuvilla said there should be dedicated or priority lanes for the buses.

The buses, which will mainly traverse the SRP, will have four routes that include Talisay-Mambaling, Talisay-North Bus Terminal, Talisay-Mactan Cebu International Airport and North Bus Terminal-Mambaling.

These routes have already been approved by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) last month.

Tuvilla also said there is a need for the Cebu City government to upgrade its traffic lights so that it will have a bus priority system.

“It should also be linked to a control center to allow database collection as required by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board,” she added.

Tuvilla said the road widening project at S. Osmeña Blvd. in the North Reclamation Area should already be finished by August this year.

Tuvilla also asked the city government to allow left turns and U-turns and to open the center islands at the SRP so that buses can enter their mall.

The U-turn slots, she said, should consider the height and width of the bus so they can properly maneuver.

Tuvilla also asked for traffic signs at the coastal area, particularly at the Mambaling-coastal road intersection. (PNA) LAP/EB