Tuesday, September 09, 2008 Editorials: Slowing down on Bus Rapid Transit
IT’S good that the Cebu City Government, while professing its determination to realize its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) dream, is not rushing things by, first, spreading the word about its plan and, second, conducting a (rather costly) feasibility study.
At least public utility vehicle drivers and operators, especially those going through the Banilad-Talamban area, now know what they will be up against.
A BRT is actually nothing but a glorified, although improved, bus system, which means that in areas where it will be set up it will ease out other forms of transport common to a backward country, like jeepneys, taxis, tricycles, even trisikads.
It’s actually a KMK bus system treated like a VIP.
Displacement
While KMK buses plying the Minglanilla-Mandaue route compete for road space with PUVs and private vehicles, the BRT will have lanes for exclusive use of its buses, thus using the word “displacement” to refer to the old traffic setup is to be mild about it.
That explains the high cost of the feasibility study because if it is an honest undertaking it will have to include not only the displacement of jeepney drivers (the pet peeve of City Hall and private vehicle owners) and operators but the entire traffic system.
While those who hate PUV drivers can say good riddance, the economic dislocation of thousands of drivers in the city and elsewhere can create ripples over the local economy if not managed well.
Traffic ripples
And what will Citom do with another ripple, this one traffic-related, once lanes in, say, Banilad-Talamban, will be allocated exclusively for the BRT, constricting further the already constricted route and forcing massive relocation of non-BRT vehicles?
Traffic in the Ban-Tal area may ease, but consider the nightmare in other areas.
Another thing: To be effective, a BRT system should not follow the ordinary traffic setup in street intersections; meaning it must be given traffic signal priority that could often cause disruptions to traffic flow.
It is one thing to sell the BRT idea and put a totally positive spin to it and another to consider the negative side of the BRT experience in other countries.
It is therefore the task of those who will conduct the costly BRT feasibility study not only to be scientific but more so to be objective, all-encompassing and humane.
