BRT to be known Trans Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System Technical Working Group agreed to name the transport system Trans Cebu and make bright green its dominant color.

The branding was agreed in a meeting yesterday presided by City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Executive Director Rafael Christopher Yap.

Yap said that the TWG will endorse its recommendation to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), World Bank and to the City Council of Cebu for approval.

Yap said that the decision was a result of the consultations made by the TWG with the different stakeholders.Also during the meeting, it was presented that the BRT system is environment-friendly since the buses are designed to operate on ultra-clean diesel.

Last Saturday, consultant Colin Brader said that BRT will overwhelmingly reduce traffic congestion because the absence of jeepneys that frequently stop anywhere.

There will be lanes dedicated solely for the BRT buses, which are initially designed to be located in the center islands.

There will be 14 stations to be placed 450 meters apart and people will learn to walk on sidewalks, which the project proponent also promised to beautify and rehabilitate.

The stations will be made of local wood materials that are self-ventilating to consider the local weather.

Each station, stretching 60 meters long, will also have 60 meters of photovoltaic solar panels to self-sustain the electricity requirement of each station.

Brader presented that an initial budget of $185 million from World Bank, Clean Technology Fund and French Development Agency is allotted for the first phase of the project.

 Expected to begin in October, the detailed design will provide the specifics of the BRT system like the road network, stops and intervals.  (FREEMAN)