THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to start the pilot operation of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu-BRT) in September this year.
In a statement on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said at least 70,000 commuters are expected to benefit from the Cebu BRT’s pilot operations, which will cover three stations: Fuente, Cebu Normal University, and the Cebu South bus Terminal.
At least three stations of the mass transit system will be operational in September, Dizon added, noting the urgent need for a mass transit system that will offer connectivity and mobility to commuters.
“The Cebu BRT is a big help for our Cebuanos compatriots. We are expediting the construction of other BRT stations so that more areas and more commuters can benefit from this project,” Dizon said in Filipino during a meeting on Wednesday with local officials including Cebu Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a start to the pilot operations and to expedite the completion of other stations to serve commuters and ease traffic in the province.
Construction of the Cebu Capitol station will follow after finalizing its detailed engineering design to make it a median station from the previous curbside configuration.
Meanwhile, Dizon said Phases 2A and 3A of the BRT, which are composed of 13 stations and 62 bus stops, will be completed before the president’s term ends in 2028.
In related development, DOTr on Wednesday also said that the government has allocated P125 million to support the libreng sakay program in Cebu, providing free daily rides to an estimated 20,000 commuters along the Urgello-Parkmall route for one year.
The funding will also ensure stable income for more than 400 jeepney drivers and operators through the Service Contracting Program, where they receive fixed pay regardless of the number of passengers.
Dizon said the budget aims to ease the financial burden on commuters, especially students, while encouraging more people to use reliable and affordable public transport.
In Metro Manila, DOTr, together with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), provided free rides on Wednesday for commuters affected by flooding.
The DOTr announced that buses and trucks were available from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the following routes: Quiapo to Fairview, Quiapo to Angono, Legarda to Angono, Lawton to Alabang, and Roxas Boulevard to Sucat. This is part of the government’s “Libreng Sakay” program, following President Marcos Jr.’s order to ensure safe and free transport during bad weather.
