BRT study may start in March

Updated February 03, 2009 12:00 AM CEBU – If all things go as scheduled, the World Bank-funded study for the Bus Rapid Transport system for Cebu City will start in March. “We hope that WB-PPIAF can procure and engage the consultants by this month so that they can start by March,” Cebu City Planning and Development Officer Nigel Paul Villarete said. In this manner, the World Bank fund agency the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility study will compliment the local study to be made by the Department of Transportation and Communication by March since it will already be bidded out next week. In last year’s proposal discussion, Villarete said they worked closely with the DOTC in harmonizing the terms of reference of both studies so they will not overlap each other but harmonize the different aspects of the BRT implementation. He said DOTC’s study will be heavy on data generation and analyses on a metro-wide scale in order to understand how different mass transport links and routes maybe envisioned in the future. On the other hand the WB-PPIAF study will identify a concept leading to a preferred option for a potential Cebu demonstration BRT corridor which can be used as the first step in introducing a city-wide formal public transport system for Cebu. A BRT is like the Light Rail Transit but with buses plying the routes instead of trains. It will cut through the cities of Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu towards the heart of the South Road Properties. WB-PPIAF is setting aside $355,000, or roughly P16.8 million, in technical assistance for the said study. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)