LTFRB supports proposal to set up bus routes in SRP. (CDN FILE PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
The Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) supports the plan to open bus routes at the South Road Properties (SRP) provided that this would not compete with existing passenger jeep routes in Cebu City.
LTFRB Central Visayas Director Ahmed Cuizon said that use of energy and environment-friendly modes of public transport is also exempt from the franchise moratorium being implemented by their office. “Our support of the project is anchored on the fact that this will not compete with existing routes. That there will be no duplication,” he said.
Sherry Tuvilla, SM Supermall regional operations manager, appeared in the February 26 executive session of the Cebu City Council to brief councilors about the plan to open bus routes at the SRP.
Tuvilla said discussions on the proposal started in 2012. The proposed routes are meant to provide accessibility to the upcoming SM Seaside City by opening public transport routes. The mall is set to open in 2016.
Three new routes are being proposed: Talisay City – SRP – Mambaling – Talisay City – SRP – Talisay City; Talisay City – SRP – Mambaling – near city hall area – SM Mall – North Bus Terminal – SM Mall – city hall area – SRP – Mambaling – SRP – Talisay City; North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City – SM Mall – city hall area – SRP – Mambaling – SRP – near city hall – SM Mall – North Bus Terminal.
Councilor Gerardo Carillo asked if SM will acquire the needed buses.
Tuvilla said they are eyeing the use of 12-meter buses like the ones being used in the Bonifacio Global City.
Cuizon said there is a need for SM to clarify how many buses should be allowed to travel in the proposed route before they could be issued a franchise. He added that opening bus routes at the SRP is like a test run on the city’s plan to open a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route in the area.
Cuizon also expressed confidence that the use of buses at the SRP will encourage the public to take buses instead of using private cars.
“Majority of the routes (identified in the three proposals) are used by private vehicles and we want to change that. The Citom board is in favor of the project and I hope that we can move forward with that,” said Citom office executive director Rafael Yap.
Councilor Margot Osmeña asked for a briefing on the status of the city’s BRT proposal. Yap told her that the BRT proposal remains pending with the NEDA board chaired by president Benigno Aquino III because of the need for the DOTC to present a “second proof of concept,” this time along Commonwealth Avenue.
“Maybe we should implement it by phases. Maybe that is more palatable and has a higher chance to be approved,” Osmeña said.
Before the executive session ended, Osmeña moved for the BRT Technical Working Group (TWG) to brief the council on the status of its BRT project and for them to adopt a phase-by-phase project implementation.
She also asked SM and Filinvest Land Inc. which is working on a development project at the SRP to write the city to request for tax credits in exchange for road improvement projects that they would implement in their respective areas.