Jeepneys allowed on BRT lane to ease traffic congestion

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Traditional and modern jeepneys have been temporarily allowed to use the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) dedicated lane along N. Bacalso Avenue to Osmeña Boulevard to help ease worsening traffic conditions following the system’s initial rollout last week.

The measure, announced by Cebu City Transportation Office head Raquel Arce on March 18, 2026, came after the Department of Transportation approved the request of Mayor Nestor Archival to decongest traffic along the BRT corridor.
Archival clarified on Thursday that the arrangement is only a temporary measure while the CBRT system remains in its early phase of operations.

Currently, fewer than 17 buses are deployed along the route, limiting service capacity.

As a result, passengers have been experiencing long queues, with waiting times ranging from 20 to 30 minutes for trips between Il Corso in the South Road Properties and IT Park in Barangay Lahug, and vice versa.

“Ang ilang [waiting] time, tag-as kaayo og lapse. If you are going to wait, ang mga tawo, maghuwat unya wala nato napaagian ang dan, mosamot kaproblema. The drivers are saying, if we cannot use that, unsa may gamit ana nga wala man sa’y moagi nga bus? Kung di gamiton, grabe ang katraffic,” Archival said.

Allowing jeepneys to use the dedicated lane is expected to prevent passengers from being stranded and provide alternative transport options.

Archival added that the policy could also help commuters become accustomed to designated bus stops—an essential feature of the CBRT system once it becomes fully operational.

“For me this is an advantage to everybody kay ma-train na man atong mga pasahero kung asa gyud sila maghuwat og kasakyan. Karon, madisiplina na sila in a way nga adto gyud sila manaog sa station ug adto sab sila mosakay,” he said.

The mayor noted that the shift may help reduce unnecessary stops along the route, potentially easing congestion.

However, Arce clarified that only jeepneys are permitted to use the dedicated lane. Taxis, motorcycles, and private vehicles remain prohibited.

Archival said the arrangement also supports the separation of public and private transport, which could improve traffic flow, reduce fuel consumption, and promote discipline among both drivers and passengers.

He reiterated that the policy will not compromise the CBRT’s design and will remain in place only until Phases 2 to 4 are completed. He assured that normal operations will resume once the system is fully implemented and bus deployment increases.

“We cannot say it’s rapid right now, we can understand it’s not rapid karon kay good if everything is there already nga layout nga kumpleto pero kinahanglan man gud ka mo-adjust,” Archival said.

For now, the mayor acknowledged that Cebu’s bus rapid transit system remains in transition, with ongoing adjustments aimed at improving service while full operational capacity has yet to be achieved.