Partial operation: CBRT to start in two months

CEBU, Philippines — Partial operability of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) is expected to finally happen by June, or two months from now, despite some issue and concerns raised against it.

This is what Departmentof Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said yesterday following a meeting with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to discuss DOTr projects in Cebu, including the Cebu BRT.

“We were talking about some of the projects of DOTr in Cebu, including the Cebu BRT; some issues that we need to resolve,” he told reporters of his meeting with Garcia Thursday evening.

DOTr is looking for its partial operations by June of this year, just in time for the Palarong Pambansa and for other regions to see and experience.

“Malaki na rin (construction work done). There are different phases kasi…Overall, we are looking on partial operations by siguro June of this year,” he said.

Bautista said they agreed with the governor that they have to coordinate with each other to continue with the construction of the CBRT.

“During that meeting, we have agreed to help each other, coordinate with each other so that we can continue the construction of the Cebu BRT,” he said.

Bautista said the same is true with Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, whom he said likewise agreed to continue working closely with his office for the project.

“Ipagpapatuloy natin yan. We will continue as discussed with the mayor and the governor... We will push through with the project,” he said.

Bautista is also open to the idea of introducing modifications on the design of the bus station fronting the Capitol.

“Posibleng magkaron ng modification… That is why we will continue with the discussion with them. And, also, we have to see to it that we will comply with the approval made by NEDA and World Bank that would finance the project,” he said.

On the Cebu City Council’s call to stop the civil works of the other phases of the CBRT project until a trial run is done, Bautista said, they will review it.

 “Well, rereview-hin namin yan… Ang tinatapos lang po natin ngayon is ang Phase 1…but we will work with them,” Bautista assured.

Bautista stressed that the CBRT is a very important project of DOTr for the Cebuanos.

“It will benefit the Cebuanos, it will benefit the people of the island of Cebu. So, sigurong kailangang tatapusin natin yan,” he said.(CEBU NEWS)