Garcia interested in European technology: Swedish bus eyed for BRT Staff Member

CEBU, Philippines — From trade activities to renewable energy generation, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia is now also interested in replicating Sweden’s bus system for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project.

This came after newly-appointed Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Garcia at the City Hall the other day. Ferry was accompanied by Honorary Swedish Consul Alexander Hey.

The Smart City Sweden was then tackled, which is a state-funded initiative and export platform that emphasizes on increased urbanization that demands a “sustainable, accessible, and efficient public transportation” system.

In response, Sweden has focused on increasing the share of people who travel by public transport, while also implementing electrification and sustainable fuels to reduce carbon emissions and improve residents’ quality of life in the face of climate change.

Sweden employs various modes of public transportation, with each city featuring its own system of buses, metros, and trams, along with different ticketing options.

The country then has its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which caught the interest of Garcia. In particular, he hopes to incorporate electric buses into Cebu’s transport network.

In previous interviews with The Freeman, outgoing Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista also said that the government is considering using e-buses for the CBRT.

One notable example in Sweden is Gothenburg’s public-private project, ElectriCity, which aims to test new solutions for sustainable public transport.

Swedish experts recently showcased cutting-edge technologies in Cebu, highlighting innovative transit solutions designed to meet the evolving transportation needs of the Philippines.

“With a population exceeding 115 million and continuing to grow, the demand for sustainable transportation solutions is more crucial than ever. Currently, 6% of the GDP is allocated for infrastructure upgrades, presenting numerous opportunities to engage in the government’s ambitious expansion plans,” the Embassy of Sweden in Manila stated via LinkedIn.

The recent event marked the first of several activities in the embassy’s annual program, featuring an impressive range of Swedish transportation solutions from industry leaders such as Volvo Buses, Consat, Axis Communications, and Telenor IoT.

Volvo, for one, is among the eBRT2030 partners from across Europe and beyond, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of a next-generation e-BRT system.

eBRT2030 has emphasized that BRT is “one of the biggest innovations the bus domain has ever seen because of the positive transformative effects on cities in terms of reducing congestion and air pollution.”

Attendees had the opportunity to experience innovative bus units, advanced traffic management software, integrated security systems, fleet management tools, connectivity solutions, and onboard safety features.

The event underscored the significance of comprehensive and innovative transportation solutions in addressing the unique transit challenges faced by the Philippines.

It also highlighted the collaboration between Swedish and Philippine stakeholders, showcasing the potential of these solutions to create a sustainable, efficient, and secure public transport system in the country.

According to the Cebu City Public Information Office, Sweden conducted a study on Cebu City last year, which yielded positive results. This paved the way for Ambassador Ferry to express interest in collaborating with the local government unit (LGU).

Beyond the BRT discussion, Mayor Garcia also raised concerns about the city’s water supply despite its desalination plant project. He also expressed interest in reducing Cebu’s carbon footprint and lowering electricity costs through the use of solar panels.

This is not the first time Cebu City has engaged with Swedish officials. Back in 2022, when Garcia was vice mayor, he met with then-Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg on behalf of then-Mayor Mike Rama.

Thunborg proposed a partnership with the city government to strengthen trade activities and promote renewable energy generation.

She also noted that Swedish brands like H&M and IKEA are steadily expanding their presence in the Philippine market, leveraging Filipino consumers’ growing preference for their products as a trading advantage.

During that meeting, Garcia expressed enthusiasm, saying, “trade is something that the island is also known for.”

Discussions also covered waste segregation and clean energy, as Sweden has over 40 waste-to-energy companies supplying 50 percent of the country’s energy needs.

Notably, Sweden has eliminated landfills and relies on onshore and offshore wind farms as a major source of clean energy—another area of interest for Garcia. (CEBU NEWS)