New MOA gives City access to Seoul’s transport knowhow

For the next two years, Cebu City Government will be working together with the Metropolitan Government of Seoul, South Korea to promote exchanges and cooperation on transportation policy and improvement.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Seoul Assistant Mayor for Transportation Goh Hong Seog will signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last Friday.

Under the MOU, both cities shall share information and technology in the field of smart transportation systems.

This will include, but not be limited to, Seoul’s sharing of information on its experience on urban transportation management and operations.

The MOU also covers sharing of information and technology on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), bus depot, transport card system and automatic fare charging system.

In an interview prior to the MOU signing, City Administrator Nigel Paul Villarete said no trans- fer of money is involved in the agreement.

He added that the outline of the Seoul-Cebu policy exchange will include a feasibility study on the implementation of an internal transport system in the South Road Properties (SRP) and improving Cebu’s terminals.

“They are interested in how to assist Cebu City, particularly in the internal transport system of SRP. The SRP will be the location of the Call Center City (the mayor wants to establish). SRP is also around 300 hectares so a transport system will be efficient.”

As for the terminals, Villarete said both the City and Provincial Government have expressed interest in relocating the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT). The CSBT is currently operating on N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City. The Mandaue City Government is also interested in managing the Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT), which is located in Barangay Subangdaku.

“But I think we need to have a thorough study on where the terminals should be in consideration of the traffic demand 10 to 20 years from now,” Villarete said.

Another aspect that the City will also look into is delivering cargo and packages from any part of the province to Cebu City. Discussions on Cebu’s BRT and Seoul’s version of the transport system are also being made.