Bus Rapid Transit System in Cebu Soon
Posted on 28 September 2009 by Jerry Gervacio
Cebu City’s plan to adopt the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system excites supporters and likewise raise the eyebrows of skeptics.
Several questions are asked. Is this just another solution that will become a problem later? Will this only introduce newly dressed-up buses that look novel at the start but still clog city streets? Will this system displace jeepney drivers and operators? Is BRT better that Light Rail Transit (LRT) or Metro Rail Transit (MRT)? Is this, by far, the best mass transport system for Cebu?
There are proposals to establish LRT system in Cebu City and whole metro Cebu, but the city government is considering BRT system.
In the Cebu Daily News report, Cebu City Planning and Development Officer Nigel Paul Villarete said that BRT system will be a more feasible mode of public transportation for Cebu City because its capital costs are lower compared to a metro rail system.
Cost is not the only variable being considered. BRT system has been admired and proven for its effectiveness in easing mobility of the people. Besides, the system has been found flexible on its implementation.
In her visit to Cebu, President Gloria Arroyo expressed her support to the BRT project. Several sectors already expressed support while some are voicing out their doubts.
Recently, the Cebu City Planning and Development Office (CCPDO) invited members of SkyscraperCity-Cebu and the Cebu Bloggers Society to present the principles, concept, and plan of establishment of BRT system in Cebu. The presentation clarified issues and misunderstanding of the BRT system.
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Photo Credit: DS4ever
Filed under | All About Cebu, NewsTags | cebu bus rapid transit, cebu bus transit, cebu railway bus transit
October 29th, 2009 at 12:59 AM
won’t this clog up traffic? or will this replace the PUJs of Cebu?
my knowledge about this news is limited but I’d rather the more expensive and less polluting option which is the LRT compared to the BRT.
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October 29th, 2009 at 1:22 AM
Won’t this clog up traffic?
RE: No. The buses in a BRT system will have a dedicated lane. This mean, only the buses (in a BRT system) can use that lane. In effect, the buses will be faster that regular vehicle. In fact in intersections, those buses will be prioritized. This means, all vehicles must give way to those buses when they pass along intersections. Remember, it’s the ‘masa’ that use buses. And it is the ‘rich’ that has private vehicle that must give way to bus. With this mass transport system, traffic jam affecting commuters will be solved.
Will this replace the PUJs of Cebu?
RE: No and Yes. Not all PUJ will be phased out during initial stage. Yes because in the long run, people won’t resort to slow moving jeep.
I’d rather the more expensive and less polluting option which is the LRT compared to the BRT.
RE: The question is, who will pay the expenses when we build BRT or LRT? Not the Japanese, nor the Americans. Not even those Filipinos in Luzon. Cebuanos will pay off. Imagine your children still paying for LRT several decades from now? Besides, because of building costs, fares in LRT is much higher than fares in BRT.
Polution? If bus use fossil fuel, and LRT is using electricity, isn’t electricity is generated also using fossil fuels? In fact Cebu we are still building coal-fired power plants.
Just my two cents!
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October 29th, 2009 at 1:50 AM
whether it be BRT or LRT, there will always be expenses involved and paying them off won’t be overnight. but yeah, LRT would involve higher fare because of the building costs.
hopefully when the BRT plans are made into a reality, it won’t get messed up by our lack of discipline. by that time, Cebuano should have learned to load and unload only in designated areas.
*crossing fingers*
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October 29th, 2009 at 2:00 AM
BRT is a system that equates to ideology. The case in Bogota, Columbia proves this! This means that it is not only about buses. It prioritizes people and adhere to the principle that streets are built for people not for cars. Currently, Cebu is a car friendly city.
Under BRT system, there are designated stations like LRT. If the station is in Ayala, you can’t stop the bus in Mango Square (just an example). So the problem of illegal loading and unloading wont happen under BRT system.
The bus actually looks like LRT on its interior. Speed is also comparable to LRT. BRT don’t just have railways but has dedicated lanes.
Eventually, with the BRT system, bike lanes will also be built. Of course, training and conditioning process of passengers are part of the program.
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October 29th, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Does this mean that our jeepney drivers are the priority in the list nga ehire to drive those buses? Kay sila man gyud ang maapektuhan ani. Naa baya sila’y mga pamilya nga gipakaon. If madayun ning BRT, kasagaran nila kay mohinay gyud ang kita, and in the long run wala na puy jeepney operators nga mopaabang nila kay wala nay mosakay. Unsa may buhaton sa gobyerno ana?
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October 29th, 2009 at 12:20 PM
This has been discussed during the presentation of Engr. Villarete about the project. He said, the city government will NOT turn its back from affected sectors. But details on what, and how are still pending. There is an assurance that those who are affected or displaced will be treated well. Otherwise the whole project will flop.
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October 29th, 2009 at 4:17 PM
This project will probably boost our transport system. Although there will be rumors and hindrances, I believe it is tiely to have this transit.
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October 30th, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Besides, because of building costs, fares in LRT is much higher than fares in BRT.
re: i guess, you haven’t ride an LRT or MRT before.
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daffy Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Besides, because of building costs, fares in LRT is much higher than fares in BRT.
re: i guess, you haven’t ride an LRT or MRT before.
RE: have you ridden a BRT before?
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batang buotan Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 12:33 PM
No. See my comments below.
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October 30th, 2009 at 1:15 AM
@jj: You guess it right. Not even once in my lifetime. But does it makes sense? If I have ridden LRT, would I know everything about it? And somehow favor it against cost effective BRT system?
I think I don’t need to experience riding an LRT to be able to say reasonable lines. What I need is to research, to read, to listen and to synthesize information. I guess you are doing that. But I guess I’m wrong.
About proposed fares for Cebu LRT; “As proposed, the minimum fare in Metro Cebu will be P15, with an additional five centavos for every kilometer, which he (Engr. Paul Villarete) said is higher than the P10 fare for the first few stations in Manila.” Source: http://balita.ph/2009/10/19/cebu-city-planning-officer-prefers-buses-over-lrt-because-of-cost/
BRT will have much lower minimum fare than BRT. (Data not yet available but with initial studies and based on records of world’s BRT system, it is safe to say so.)
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October 30th, 2009 at 2:16 AM
Within Cebu City ra jud ni no? Walay labot Consalacion, Liloan, Talisay, etc.
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October 30th, 2009 at 11:07 AM
If BRT requires its own lane to be cost effective, would that mean widening our existing narrow roads? if yes, would that mean additional costs?
I understand the costs involved but wouldn’t it be nice to have both LRT and BRT such that LRT can ferry passengers at fast speed and the BRT can serve the peripheral routes such as Consolaction, Liloan, Talisay, etc.?
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daffy Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 9:40 AM
In other countries they dont widen their roads, they just dedicate the center part of the road for the buses.
Maybe the narrow roads, but its pointless to further widen the already wide roads, since if well implemented BRT will replace the jeepneys in the long run.
We dont need wide roads, cities are not for cars but for people.
We need wide sidewalks, where people can hike, bike and lose their fat!
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October 30th, 2009 at 2:32 PM
i posted my thoughts on why BRT is preferrable at the present time here -> http://laagcebu.com/2009/10/laagcebu-is-for-brt/
while it is desirable to have both but we have to choose one first financing both proposal might be an overkill. We are forced to choose the one that suits our present situation and demands. You don’t need 2 scientists to build a paper airplane.
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October 30th, 2009 at 2:35 PM
@ Empress: On initial stage, YES, in Cebu City. As you know, BRT looks like Cebu City’s pet. As I understand, the city wants to show to other LGU’s in metro Cebu the effectiveness of BRT. BRT is needed and the time spent to convince other LGU’s to push it would surely slow down on its implementation.
LRT would have longer trail.
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November 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
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December 29th, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system’s implementation in Cebu will take years and a pure leaders guts.
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January 2nd, 2010 at 2:05 PM
okay ra man ni siya para nako. pero and problema samot na pud ka hugaw ug abog ang lugar. mu gamai ang jeepney pun.an pud ug bus na dagko, mas mu okey k sa train, atleast ang pollution wala sa ciudad naa sa coal plant.
mas maayo kung kuryente nalang mu ingon mo karon na mas okay mo sa bus kay mas barato, kung mu mahal and kurodo taas pud and plete? mas maayo ang kuryente kay ma stable pa ang price.
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clarence Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 7:29 AM
naa pud kay punto, bai, apan di pud ka kalikay sa umento sa plitehan kuryente ang gamiton kay nahibaw ta nga dili pud stable ang paningil sa kuryente ug usa pa kay nagnihit na pud ang atong supply.
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January 12th, 2010 at 9:35 PM
Daghang BRT sa Metro Manila unya ngari sa atoa usa pa ganiy giplano daghan nang balakid hehehe… its time for metro cebu to have this kind of transport system
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January 26th, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Is this BRT and MRT the same as those found in Singapore and Malaysia?
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January 26th, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Singapore and Malaysia more particularly kuala Lumpur has an efficient public transport system. If my reading is correct, the BRT is similar to that of Singapore where there are very specific routes and stops/stations of buses and are given priority when traversing main thorough fares except that they are electronically connected to a global positioning system that allows the operator to project the time of arrival and departure in each stop or station- or in this case, waiting sheds. In Singapore the buses (or BRT if at all they are the same) is connected to the MRT while The MRT connect districts. In short BRT for short runs and MRT for the longer haul. If within Cebu City MRT is NOT viable but to my opinion BRT will work! MRT can be something that the DOTC can explore to connect the entire province with each major city with high road traffic have their own BRTs. In Manila, LRT is a classic case of double joepardy, government robs us of our taxes even before we board them and while on-board we are robbed by unscrupolous passengers that the LRT is known for.
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January 26th, 2010 at 1:08 PM
There is one thing that bothers me though- while the BRT may be technologically and economically feasible, I wonder if it is socially and culturally viable? Consider these: (1) BRT driver reports for work late due to Filipino time and creates a chain reaction with other drivers and messes up the clockwork schedule; (2) BRT driver stops on un-designated area to give-in to brother’s, friend’s or an old ailing lady’s request; (3) BRT stops, opens the window and chats with friend jeepney driver or worst have his cigarette lighted (4) BRT driver gives-in to request for some waiting time for a relative or neighbor to arrive at the station (5) BRT driver deviates from route to get his child from school or house. BRT will not be a viable alternative to jeepneys if the drivers and operators will not adopt to the demands of technology and without Osmena in the City Hall, I seriously doubt the next Mayor or Mayors can really make it work. Despite the arrogance, discipline is something we must give to Osmena hands-up. Cebu, just like Manila and Davao needs a certain quality to make things happen.
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February 28th, 2010 at 5:18 AM
they better make it soon because if they make it later how are they gonna widen the roads when buildings/skyscrapers are already present along the pavements???but for my opinion i’ll directly go for lrt para mausa ang gasto…may nang naa na karon kaysa unya na ta maghimo ana nga mahal nasad ang mga materials needed for it to be constructed…
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