MANILA -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday said it will be proceeding with the implementation of two out of three Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems -- the Cebu BRT system and the Quezon Avenue BRT system.
DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon bared this, following a recent inspection of both BRT systems’ routes with representatives from the DOTr, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the World Bank – which funds the project.
“The Bus Rapid Transit project of DOTr for Cebu and Quezon Avenue will push through,” de Leon said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
“Nagkaroon kami ng (We conducted) inspection with World Bank team and also joined by NEDA, in-evaluate namin yung (and evaluated) conditions ng (of the) corridor ng (of) Cebu and also Quezon Avenue and we found out na posibleng mag (that it is possible to) run pa yung (the) BRT in these corridors,” he added.
However, de Leon said the EDSA BRT system is “still undergoing evaluation “after its supposed funder backed out of the project.
“We’re undergoing evaluation doon sa (on the BRT in) Edsa. Previously kasi yung (in) Edsa, meron tayong funder dapat diyan (We have a funder for that). Yung (The) funder backed out of that program,” de Leon said.
“Yung other two tuloy yun dahil different yung funder nun (The other two will push through because they have a different funder), it’s under World Bank,” he added.
De Leon said the DOTr has already signed the contract for the technical service consultants for the Cebu BRT and has written the Department of Finance (DOF) about its intention to proceed with the Quezon Avenue BRT.
“We just signed the contract for the TSC in Cebu so we’re already pushing for the BRT to push through. For Manila, we have signed a letter to DOF that we will push through with the program,” de Leon said.
Meanwhile, he said the agency is now working on the detailed engineering design of both BRT systems.
“Detailed engineering design will proceed this year so magkakaroon lang yan ng (we will have) procurement stage,” de Leon said.
He further said that he expects the two BRT systems to be partially operational “in three years time.”
Last July, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade bared that only the implementation of the Cebu BRT will push through, considering Metro Cebu's road profile and the need of efficient mass transport systems in interconnected cities.
The Cebu BRT is a 23-kilometer system, which will run through Bulacao, Ayala and Talamban.
Two Metro Manila BTRs -- Quezon Avenue and Edsa -- were earlier scrapped since the DOTr considered it unfeasible on narrow and congested roads in urban areas.
The Quezon Avenue BRT will run 12.3 km from the Quezon Memorial Circle to Manila City Hall via Elliptical Road, Quezon Avenue and España Boulevard.
Meanwhile, the Edsa BRT will run 48.6 km and will have four main corridors -- a main line along Edsa and corridors along Ayala Avenue to World Trade Center, Ortigas to Bonifacio Global City, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The BRT systems are part of the DOTr’s integrated transportation system (ITS), one of the solutions to ease traffic. It dedicates lanes for specialized buses and stations.
It is estimated to cost PHP53 billion. (PNA)
