Cebu Rapid Transit Launch Postponed Indefinitely Amid Unannounced Reasons
The highly anticipated launch of the Cebu Rapid Transit (CBRT) system, scheduled for last month, has been postponed indefinitely for reasons that remain undisclosed. The event was set to be a star-studded affair, with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. leading the ceremony alongside officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Local dignitaries, including Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, and Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña—the original proponent of the project—were also slated to attend.
Decades of Delays and Budget Overruns
For over two decades, the CBRT has represented Cebu City's best hope for an efficient, high-capacity public mass transport system. However, the project has faced significant setbacks, particularly during previous administrations, which slowed progress and scaled down its scope. The World Bank, the project's financing institution, has expressed concerns over delays that have caused the budget estimate to balloon from P17 billion to P28.8 billion.
Significant accomplishments were only achieved under the administration of President Marcos Jr., with two pilot runs conducted last year. Once fully operational, the CBRT is expected to serve approximately 60,000 passengers daily, offering a crucial solution to the city's traffic congestion.
Reduced Scope and Heritage Challenges
Originally designed to span 23 kilometers from Barangay Talamban in the north to Barangay Bulacao in the south, the project has been significantly scaled back. To date, only a 2.4-kilometer section between the Cebu South Bus Terminal and Fuente Osmeña has been completed, at a cost of P990 million.
Further complications arose when former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia raised heritage issues, leading to the botched link between the Capitol building and Fuente Osmeña. Despite these hurdles, prospects for continuing the project appear brighter under the joint push of new provincial and city officials, along with the DOTr. The redesigned route is now shortened to around 13 kilometers.
Historical Context and Economic Advantages
The Cebu City BRT is the first of its kind in the Philippines, inspired by Brazil's Curitiba BRT system and conceptualized in the early 1990s. Planning began in 2010, with feasibility studies completed in 2012 with support from the World Bank and the French Development Agency. The National Economic and Development Authority approved and endorsed the project for foreign funding in 2018.
BRT systems offer significant economic advantages over Light Railway Transit (LRT) systems, which can be up to 10 times more expensive per kilometer. Budget estimates for LRTs range from US$15 to 40 million per kilometer, and they are costlier to operate and maintain. Studies indicate that Cebu's ridership will not be suitable for LRTs until between 2035 and 2040, making the BRT a more viable option for the near future.
Limitations and Future Challenges
Despite its promise, the CBRT project is not without limitations. The current route is so short that some residents are known to casually walk the entire stretch regularly. Additionally, the BRT shares its route with jeepneys that continue to ply areas such as Guadalupe, Lahug, Capitol, and V. Rama Avenue. Plans to modify these jeepney routes to serve as feeders for the BRT, rather than competitors, have yet to be finalized.
Supporting social programs for operators and drivers who opt out of the public transport sector could help ease traffic by reducing the number of vehicles on the route. Overall, the CBRT represents an important milestone in the Philippines' transport development, demonstrating the government's resolve to propel Cebu to greater glory. The infrastructure has been built, and Cebuanos are now eagerly awaiting its operationalization, even as the launch remains delayed.
