BRT project to start as scheduled

CEBU, Philippines - One of the consultants of the Cebu City Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is positive that the construction of the project will start as scheduled.

Jim Bradley, communications consultant of the Integrated Transport Planning, lead consultant for the project’s feasibility study, said that the people and even the officials “are consistently supporting” the project.

He said there may be changes from the initial plans but “the concept is still the same.” Bradley said the consultations continue though the feasibility study is scheduled to end this month.

The construction of the project, which will cost USD185 million, is scheduled to start at the middle of the year and is expected to end by 2015.

The ITD earlier created the website www.cebucitybrtproject.info and facebook page www.facebook.com/CebuCityBRT so the public can participate in the consultation. Yesterday, Bradley’s team had also put up a two-day exhibit about the project at the lobby of the Cebu City Hall Legislative Building.

The BRT is being funded by World Bank and the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), a French Development Agency.

The BRT project is seen to address the traffic problem in the city. The system will run from Bulacao to Cebu Business Park in Cebu City. It is aimed at providing fast, convenient, comfortable and safe transport in the city at a competitive fare rate.—(FREEMAN)