If you happened to be a Cebuano or living in Cebu for almost 2 years, you are then familiar on the issue of Bus Rapid Transit. This system has been hot on the oven since the proclamation of the former Mayor Tomas Osmeña. This has gained a lot of questions, receiving different responses from the civilians. To have a better background, let us look deeper on what is this system.
The Bus Rapid Transit System
According to an online source, bus rapid transit (BRT) “is a term applied to public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line.” From the definition itself, if an economy is using this kind of system in the public, then it just proves that the transportation is way faster than common type of transportation. In Cebu, transportation of different kinds may be found, from the big bodies of the different bus companies, up to the tiny clunking pedals of tricycles. Mostly, the public use “jeepneys” as a means of their daily transportation and most of the time causes a heavy traffic.
So the BRT System was proposed by the former mayor in order to lessen the heavy traffic and to add ease on travelling. Basically, this is just one of the many reasons being highlighted. Also, one of the goals on using this system is the incorporation of the service quality of rail transit while enjoying the cost savings and flexibility of bus transit. So why not pursue this then?
While the inside of the Cebu government is making necessary plans on how and when to start the system, outside are the barricades of militant group, mostly organized by drivers whose source of income is driving. There are many areas that need to consider before putting up this system. One for example are the drivers as we stated above, second is the environmental problems that it would cause upon the building of the system, implementing this would cause a great stir on the current infrastructure of the city. Not to mention also the pollution it would cause, the noise and vibration of the engines of the buses. These are the reason that the opposition are holding on to just to keep away the proposed system.
The route of the system traverses Cebu City from Bulacao in the south-west to Talamban in the north-east, linking several important and most destinations of the towns’ people. The vehicles of BRT will run along in a separate bus lines that is found on the middle of the road. There will also be stations that are found on the middle road which is accessible through pedestrian crossings.
The Bus Rapid Transit System is constructed in two phases, the first phase said to be operational on 2013 and the second phase is estimated on 2014/2015.
Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Route Diagram
