A NEW transport system being planned in Cebu Province aims to ease mobility issues by introducing fixed schedules and better integration with the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), officials said.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the Provincial Government has awarded P20 million to support the CBRT, underscoring its commitment to improving the region’s public transportation system.
She said the proposed system will require vehicles to follow strict departure times, even if they are not full marking a shift from the current practice of waiting for more passengers.
“This is really a timed departure. It has a time, like in Hong Kong or Singapore, where there is a set schedule for when it will pass by. This would also help our transportation problem,” Baricuatro said.
The governor added that the change is also meant to instill discipline among commuters, encouraging them to follow schedules similar to those in more developed transport systems.
Meanwhile, Cebu Province Assistant Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the plan is designed to complement, not compete with existing transport services by acting as a feeder system to the CBRT.
“So basically, it’s a big help because there won’t be duplication. It’s just a matter of allowing the public to move faster, putting mobility in their hands rather than competing with natural jeepney operations and other services,” Empaces said.
Under the proposed setup, routes from areas in the north and south, such as Carcar, will connect to main CBRT corridors.
The initiative is being studied under the Department of Transportation’s service contracting program, with the goal of improving efficiency while maintaining harmony with current transport operations. (ABC)
