Experts go for holistic mass transit system

CEBU, Philippines - Transportation experts have advised for a holistic mass transit system to mitigate the worsening traffic situation in Metro Cebu.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete, who also chairs the Cebu Organizing Committee on Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS), said Bus Rapid Transit, for one, should not only be serviced in Cebu City but to other component cities as well like Mandaue, Talisay and Lapu-Lapu.

Lawyer Rafael Yap, head of the Cebu-BRT office, said expanded BRT has already been considered.

“No arguments. We are working towards that,” he said.

In fact, he said a feasibility study will be conducted on the possible BRT extension routes and that they are working to get funding for its operations.

Yap added that they are not only resting solely on the BRT project as they are also adopting the SM transport project, which is the High Quality Public Transport System.

The HQPTS, he said, is a primary effort to connect all local government units.

The mass transport will run from Talisay-Mambaling, Talisay-North Bus Terminal, Talisay-Mactan Cebu Airport and North Bus Terminal-Mambaling. The hybrid buses will traverse mainly along the South Road Properties. It is an interim transport to supplement the BRT, which would only be operational in 2018 yet.

Yap said expanding BRT to other LGUs is not a simple task to undertake considering the need to conduct social consultations and encourage LGUs to adopt and propose for the BRT.

“It’s not a question of which is better mode of transportation a bus or a train but rather what works and what is good for the passenger,” he said.

Yap further said not all cities have the same priorities for transportation, citing Talisay City that favors the Light Rail Transit.

However, Yap said, there are talks undertaken with Talisay officials for the implementation of BRT and the Provincial Planning Development Officers in terms of mass transit expansion.

Aside from BRT expansion, Dr. Primitivo Cal, founding president of Transportation Science Society of the Philippines and a former president of EASTS, said that the jeepney route system should also be looked into.

He said it should not only be adjusted to complement with the BRT project.A re-planning must be done to aid the worsening traffic, he added.

“…It’s about time that it (PUJ routes) should be reviewed and revisited. We should not limit it out and allow it adjusts to BRT but it should be designed and planned as part of the total package. We must act now,” Cal said.

Yap said the Japan International Cooperation Agency roadmap study has also recommended a review of PUJ routes in the metropolis. PUJ routes were developed decades ago.

He said the result of the study would be implemented before BRT operates following series of consultations with the PUJ industry and the community.

Once it is implemented, Yap is not discounting the possibility that some of the PUJ drivers and operators would be displaced.

“There will be displacement but, however, we will try to avoid the displacement or compensate the displacement; at the very least mitigate the displacement by offering viable alternatives,” he said.

Further, another factor to be considered according to Cal is the increasing number of vehicles in every city, which further contributes to traffic dilemma.

To somehow address this, he said, it may be considered to control vehicle ownership or the application of four E’s — engineering, enactment, education and enforcement.

“There is no prescription but application of knowledge. The 4Es should be integrated to solve traffic woes,” he said.

Villarete, for his part, said there is a need to maintain or decrease demand; increase capacity or maintain the capacity; and make it more efficient.

“Definitely, increasing efficiency would mean that we have to shift from private to public transportation that can carry 60 to 400 passengers per unit,” he said, referring to mass transport systems.

BRT and other forms of transportation would be part of the discussion during the three-day 11th International Conference of EASTS here.

Transportation experts from 18 countries are gathered to share their knowledge and expertise on how to improve transportation systems in all its members with the theme, “Resilient and Inclusive Transportation Systems through Smarter Mobility.” — /NSA (FREEMAN)