BRT: Now, a temporary solution?

For almost two decades now, the then much ballyhooed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), though has reached the board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), can still be hardly counted on. Obviously, this developed as some mass transport system advocates are also pushing for a Light Rail Transit (LRT). Sadly, the bickering is just too hot to handle and the warring camps are just too unrelenting.

Indeed, we have been witnesses of this seemingly unending debate on what is the more appropriate mass transport system for us. Proponents and supporters are still at it. While Light Rail Transit (LRT) proponents pointed out its reach and span for emphasis, BRT advocates underline its cost and ease of implementation.

Despite this bickering, however, everyone agreed that we need a better mass transport system. Everyone agreed that with a regulated mass transport system, we will be able to rid our roads with undisciplined jeepney drivers who pick up and drop passengers anywhere (which causes traffic jams). Likewise, commuters will certainly realize that unlike jeepneys that will pick them up anywhere as they wish, these buses or light trains will only load and unload passengers in bus stops or stations at a designated time.

More importantly, the potential riders of BRT or LRT are car owners. Considering the traffic situation and the comfort these buses or trains provide, they (car owners) might just opt to leave their cars in their garages than use them. Consequently, there shall be fewer cars running, thus, decongesting our roads.

However, knowingly or unknowingly, Cebuanos are, generally, non-conformists. Consequently, we have become a race where even if some proposals are sound and have farreaching benefits, we never cease to present other alternatives.

Truth to tell, compromise agreement and consensus have become rare commodities for us, Cebuanos. These qualities though have provided checks and balances that other parts of the country truly lack. To some extent, however, it drags some generally beneficial projects or plans that needed immediate implementation.

However, just a week ago, a consortium of Chinese companies and a local businessman in Dennis Uy revealed that they are closely coordinating with the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to build the Metro Cebu Light Rail Transit through a design-finance-build-transfer and manage project. If given the go-signal, site works of the first phase from Carcar City to Danao City, as projected, shall be completed by 2022.

Moreover, this will be at no cost to the government, as proposed, because this project shall be undertaken through the “One Belt One Road” program of the Chinese government. Therefore, with the funding assured, the question that shall remain is how much would it cost to the riding public when it becomes operational.

The second phase, the consortium added, will be a “commuter rail for the greater Cebu subject to economic, population, future modern transport needs, and other factors.” This could mean that the commuter rail shall be in the Cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay. If this is true, then, obviously, it will render the BRT insignificant.

Interestingly, however, four days ago, at the Philippine Economic Briefing in Marco Polo Plaza Ce bu, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia stressed that the “BRT project will push through as a short-term solution to Cebu's traffic problem.” Intriguingly, this is a development that is worth watching.

When we say, short-term, in ordinary parlance, it means temporary. To some extent, it might sound complementing to that of the consortium’ s phase 2( commuter rail) project for greater Ce bu as the latter shall be undertaken when the population and other factors warrant. However, if we may recall, for the BRT to be implemented, the government shall spend billions of pesos for the purchase of land (for road widening) alone along the route. The question is, should we spend billions for a temporary solution?

Moving forward, we may say that these developments might be positive as both shall benefit commuters. However, knowing fully well that these projects have different proponents or backers (BRT-Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena; LRT-Talisay City Mayor Eddie Gull as and Presidential Assistant Mike Di no) disagreements will certainly drag to a certain extent and to a heightened animosity that we can’t foretell. Certainly, pride will set in. Such pride shall bring to the fore, arrogance, conceit, smugness or self-importance. Due to this predicament, Cebu’s mass transport system project will again hit a snag.