CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is considering a new schedule for the start of Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) operations, now set for March 2026.
This launch will take place even without the Capitol Station, which is still under review due to restrictions from the provincial government and compliance requirements from the World Bank.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed this matter on the sidelines of the “Usapang Budget 2026 Forum” yesterday at DepEd Ecotech in Lahug, stating that Package 1 of the CBRT is now 97 percent complete, with the remaining three percent covering punch-listing and documentation tied to foreign-assisted funding.
Dry runs will be conducted ahead of the launch to minimize operational issues.
Package 1, which runs from the Cebu South Bus Terminal to Fuente Osmeña Circle, is expected to serve up to 34,000 passengers daily once operational.
Lopez said the corridor is ready for operation within the first quarter of 2026, stressing that safety and service reliability remain the agency’s priorities.
“We have worked hard to complete this, and we are now prepared to open Phase 1,” he noted, adding that the DOTr brought a full team to Cebu to inspect ongoing works.
The CBRT was first conceptualized in 2014 and broke ground in February 2023 under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who directed that the project be completed in less than a year.
That timeline proved unattainable, and inauguration ceremonies have since been postponed multiple times.
The latest delay came in December 2025, when Malacañang reset the schedule due to the President’s unavailability, with Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival acknowledging that the official launch may only take place after Sinulog 2026.
World Bank records describe the CBRT as a flagship initiative to modernize Cebu’s public transport corridor through a 16-kilometer route with dedicated bus lanes and stations, designed to improve service quality, safety, and environmental efficiency.
In its latest Implementation Status and Results Report, the World Bank noted that overall progress had been “unsatisfactory” and flagged the risk of missing the September 2026 loan closing date if reforms were not accelerated.
Lopez admitted that accumulated delays have forced the government to consider a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement for succeeding phases, particularly for operations and maintenance. He said any PPP component will undergo market sounding and competitive bidding to ensure transparency.
“We have to explore alternative means,” Lopez explained, adding that private sector participation may help ensure timely completion without diverting funds intended for social services.
On the proposed Capitol Station near the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Transportation Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Steve Pastor said coordination is ongoing with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) due to existing provincial resolutions affecting construction in the area.
He clarified that completion of the Capitol Station is not a prerequisite for the March 2026 operational target, as Package 1 can function independently along its 16-kilometer corridor.
Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival recently met with AyalaLand Estates and Governor Pamela Baricuatro to discuss related developments in Cebu I.T. Park and Cebu Business Park, including BRT alignment, terminal integration, and urban redevelopment.
The city government emphasized that coordinated planning is essential to ensure that the CBRT complements broader infrastructure and mobility improvements.
With Package 1 nearly complete and independent from other civil works, Lopez expressed confidence that operations can begin this March even without the Capitol Station.
For Cebu, the CBRT’s launch represents not only a milestone in modernizing public transport but also a transformative step for commuters, with tens of thousands expected to benefit daily from faster, safer, and more reliable travel across the city and province.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol and Kristin de Dios/RAE
