DOTr eyes operation of Cebu LRT, BRT by 2020

The government plans to have in place an operational light rail transit (LRT) system and a bus rapid transit (BRT) in Cebu by 2020 as part of its efforts to address the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Cebu.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, presidential assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, and the technical service consultant of Cebu LRT and BRT met last Friday to discuss the Cebu Integrated and Intermodal Transport System Project, which involves a basket of solutions to synchronize various transportation solutions to address traffic woes in Metro Cebu.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it was agreed upon by the officials during the meeting that phase one of Cebu BRT and LRT, including its common station, would be operational by 2020.

The DOTr said no specific companies have been chosen to undertake the projects yet.

The agency said the LRT project is in the “proposal evaluation stage,” while the BRT is still in the detailed engineering design stage.

In July, the DOTr announced a consortium composed of Chinese, Singaporean, and Filipino nationalities had submitted a proposal to construct a $3-billion LRT system with a subway component.

The $3-billion proposal will include an above ground component from Talisay to Carcar and from Mandaue to Danao, with an airport line from Mandaue to the Mactan Cebu International Airport complex.

Apart from the LRT, other components of the planned Cebu Integrated and Intermodal Transport System Project include a BRT in three-lane roads, a point-to-point bus system similar to MyBus, which is already operational in the city, and a monorail in LapuLapu City.

Tugade earlier said the LRT system would be a major component of the integrated and intermodal transport system.

“The LRT will become the main arterial backbone of Cebu’s mass transportation, with other components as feeder lines serving internal peripheries,” Tugade said.

“Once implemented, Cebu will become beautiful and more livable. This will encourage interoperability and interconnectivity of land, air, and sea transportation,” he added.