Cebu Bus Rapid System gets WB funding

CEBU – The Philippines received a new financial grant worth $141 million from the World Bank intended for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit.

“Malugod na tinatanggap ng pamahalaan ang pag-apruba ng World Bank Board Executive Directors ng isang financing package na nagkakahalaga ng 141 milyong dolyar para sa pagpapatupad ng proyektong Cebu Bus Rapid Transit o CBRT,” a government spokesman Herminio Coloma said in a recent radio interview.

He said the CBRT will run from the town of Bulacao to Talamba in Cebu City and is expected to deliver a fast, reliable, safe and climate-friendly transport system.

“Ang nasabing financial package na kinabibilangan ng 116 milyong dolyar mula sa World Bank at 25 milyong dolyar mula sa Clean Techonology Fund ay gugugulin upang itatag ang isang dalawampu’t tatlong kilometrong rapid bus transit system sa siyudad ng Cebu,” Coloma said.

The financial package includes the construction of transit ways, terminals, stations, depots and other facilities, according to Coloma, adding, the Aquino government will put in at least $87 million as counterpart funding.

“Inaasahang mahigit sa tatlong daang libong pasahero ang makikinabang sa rapid bus transit system na ito araw-araw na naglalayong ibsan ang polusyon at tiyakin ang kaligtasan at ginhawa sa pagbabiyahe ng mga residente ng Cebu,” he said.

“Ang CBRT ay isang sistema na nagtatampok ng pampasaherong bus na tumatakbo sa sarili at hiwalay na mga lanes at kayang magsakay nang higit na maraming manlalakbay kumpara sa ibang uri ng pampublikong transportasyon,” Coloma added.