THE contractor for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) Package 1 met its Aug. 11, 2025, deadline, according to Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival.
Cibus, or Cebu Interim Bus Service, units are expected to operate along the CBRT Package 1’s dedicated lane from the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) to the Provincial Capitol by next month, Archival told SunStar Cebu’s online news and commentary program “Beyond the Headlines” on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
The mayor said he will negotiate for free initial rides using modern, air-conditioned trunk buses.
The City Government will coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in studying how to best address traffic congestion inside and outside the Package 1 route.
Minor works
Archival said the contractor, Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Ltd., still has minor works to complete before the CBRT dry run in September.
Provisional authority
Vallacar Transit Inc., operator of Cibus under the Ceres Liner fleet, has been given provisional authority to operate along the CBRT route, according to Archival.
He said he still needs to confirm with DOTr whether Cibus units will be deployed, noting that the Package 1 route is relatively short.
The dry run will last one to two months, with Cibus units following their existing planned route from SM Seaside City Cebu at the South Road Properties to Cebu IT Park and back.
These units will pass newly built bus stations at the Fuente Osmeña Circle, Cebu Normal University and the CSBT.
Traffic management
In terms of traffic management, Archival said the City Government will implement a traffic discipline zone along the dedicated lanes.
The dedicated lane must be kept free of regular traffic from Osmeña Blvd. to Natalio Bacalso Ave. before merging with the rest of the road network.
Archival said the dry run’s success depends on traffic discipline.
CBRT Package 1 spans 2.38 kilometers and is part of the first phase of the project, which includes a 13.18-kilometer main line with dedicated bus lanes, 17 stations, a depot and a terminal. / EHP