INQUIRER Global Nation

Representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are arriving in Cebu today to meet with City officials and discuss the possibility of establishing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system here.

But Mayor Tomas Osmeña said that the visit does not promise anything yet.

He could only hope that the ADB representatives would decide to help the city government fund the conduct of a feasibility study and prepare the engineering plans for the BRT which Osmeña wanted established along the northern corridor.

Mayor Osmeña has long dreamed of having a BRT system here, which he will pattern from the BRT system model in Curitiva in Brazil.

Under the BRT system, the Cebu City government will allow buses to ply major city roads like Governor Cuenco Avenue as an alternative mode of transportation.

The BRT system is considered one solution to ease traffic congestion in the city.

City Planning and Development Officer Nigel Paul Villarete said that the city government may test the operation of a BRT in two major routes: along the Banilad-Talamban Road and in the vicinity of the Central Business District.

Another possibility is to have a BRT as a means of transportation around the 300-hectare South Road Properties.

Villarete said that “we have to conduct a feasibility study first before we can solicit help for funding (for the establishment of the BRT system here).”

Villarete said that the city only has a vehicle alighting survey along the Banilad Road.

Mayor Osmeña, Villarete, Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem and City Traffic Operations and Management (Citom) executive director Arnel Tancinco were in Manila on Monday and Tuesday to attend a seminar by ADB and World Bank.

The possibility of establishing BRTs in third world countries like the Philippines was discussed during the two-day seminar.

Osmeña said there is a possibility that ADB will help the city come up with a feasibility study and engineering details of the BRT that he wanted established along the seven kilometer stretch of the Governor Cuenco Avenue that traverses barangay Banilad and Talamban.

He said that funding for the establishment of a BRT, system may also come from the World Bank or any private sector partner.

Osmeña said that operating a BRT which may be done within the next two years, would require at least P100 million, which already includes the purchases of buses and other needed equipment.

Despite the city's plan to operate a BRT, Jakosalem said he will make sure that the PUJs will not be taken from city roads.

Osmeña said that he would also try to minimize dislocation of PUJs.

But BRTs will also be given priority along the four-lane Governor Cuenco Avenue a means of transportation as compared with private car