First BRT coordination meeting held

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communication is expected to disclose later this year or early next year the engineering and consultancy firms that would provide a detailed engineering design for the Bus Rapid Transit system in Cebu City.

This was revealed by the city’s ‘transport czar, lawyer Rafael Yap, also the head of the City Traffic Operation Management during the meeting of the project’s Technical Working Group.

“Ang detailed engineering design gyod atong gihuwat but there are also equally important studies like the social management study that deals with the impact on the jeepney drivers, conductors, operators and commuters,” he said.

The detailed engineering design will identify and quantify all the essential works needed to implement the BRT and of the transport and procurement for construction services, including the infrastructure related design and station design.

On the question as to who will run the BRT, Yap the DOTC with the assistance of the city government, will determine the institution that will receive the mandate through an executive order.

“There have been recommendations based on the feasibility studies, but this is subject to finality pa man,” Yap said.

Among those present in the meeting were representatives from DOTC, NEDA, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, and Movement for Livable Cebu.

MLC expressed earlier that it wants the BRT to traverse busy streets from Bulacao-Pardo and pass through N. Bacalso Avenue, P. del Rosario, New Imus road, M.J. Cuenco Avenue all the way to M.C. Briones and to Cabancalan, Mandaue City.

BRT’s original design will pass four intersections: Osmeña Boulevard/Colon Street, V. Rama Avenue/M. Velez Street, M.J. Cuenco Avenue/J. Luna Avenue; and Gorordo Avenue/Salinas Drive. Pocket lanes will be built in different locations in the city.

Yap said MLC was appeased upon hearing another development that favors their proposal.

“Na-appease ang MLC kay nakahibaw sila that there is already similar proposal which is the high quality public transport sa SRP (South Road Properties) that will address their specific demand,” he said.

SM is in proper coordination with DOTC for the full implementation of the high quality public transport starting February next year since its mall at SRP will be operational by the last quarter of 2015.

While the bus-based transport is closely similar to the BRT, there are some differences like non-segregated lanes.

“Basta, this is the first demonstration of a good public transportation in the city,” Yap said.

The proposed route of SM’s project is from the SRP’s end in Minglanilla town down to the coastal area and to the Plaza Independencia, North Reclamation Area, North Bus terminal and to the Cebu Doctors University intersection in Cebu City.

Yesterday’s coordination meeting with stakeholders was carried out after approval of the World Bank and the National Economic and Developmental Authority. The next coordination meeting is slated middle of next month. — (FREEMAN)