Bus Rapid Transit 2

The BRT may be coming to the Philippines sooner than we think. In September 2010, the government of Cebu said they planned to undertake a BRT project with the help of the World Bank. In November 2010 Ayala Land announced a planned redevelopment of Makati which includes the implementation of a BRT system. Studies on the BRT have been around since 2005 and as far back as 2007, there have been talks about implementing such a transport solution in the country.


Strangely, there's been little reported to follow up on these developments. Take the Cebu BRT for example. the WB has already concluded its study of the Cebu BRT project. That positive development should have been shared with everyone. It's a good thing we can read the Sun Star Online edition. I would rather have that than more speculation over the president's love life.


The World Bank warns of four threats to the BRT:

1. Corruption
2. Opposition from the informal transport sector
3. Opposition from people to be resettled 
4. Proponents of a light rail system

The first three requires political will. Just like the sidewalk clearing there will be a lot of grumbling when something new is implemented. Change causes stress initially until you're used to it. The last one is not so much a problem. We may actually find out that a rail solution is better. In which case the decision should boil down to which choice provides the most advantages for the country.

references:

Clean Air Initiative
UNCRD
Push For Bus Rapid Transit Systems In The Philippines
(BRT) in Makati
Bus Rapid Transit for the Philippines