The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to start the operation of the Cebu Interim Bus Service (CIBUS) by next week to help augment the transport system in Cebu, in preparation for the partial operation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system by 2021.
CIBUS, a trunk service that will be used to augment the transport system in Cebu City until the completion of the Cebu BRT, will begin operating on March 16.
Arthur Tugade, DOTr secretary, said the CIBUS is a precursor project that aims to mimic the BRT system, so as to allow Cebu commuters to readily adapt to the new culture of instilling predictability in their daily commute.
CIBUS will focus its operations initially in the south of Cebu and will be operating buses that will serve in preparation for the BRT’s operation. The Cebu BRT is scheduled for completion by end-2021.
CIBUS will provide a new bus transport service on a new route: a direct route from Fuente Osmeña to the South Road Properties area. It will include 17 bus stops in a loop route between these two areas.
“After a long wait, the CIBUS will be operational. It will serve for the convenience of Cebu commuters until the Cebu BRT, which is designed to accommodate a larger passenger volume, is established and is up and running,” said Tugade.
The BRT system is part of the DOTr’s Integrated Intermodal Transport System for Metro Cebu.
At present, the P17-billion World Bank-funded BRT is under review and validation of documents and detailed engineering design by the on-board technical support consultant.
The BRT will be fielding 250 buses with at least 21 stations. Phase 1 includes Cebu South Bus Terminal to Capitol that will start partial operations by December 2021. Phase 2 from Bulacao/Talisay to Talamban will be partially operational by March 2022.
Once the BRT is operational, CIBUS will allow bus boarding and alighting at designated bus stops only, with bus service frequency at no more than 10 minutes in between during peak hours.
The project is supported by the Cebu City government, provincial government of Cebu and Michael Lloyd Dino, Presidential assistant for the Visayas.
