CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will continue with its mixed-use setup for the time being, allowing public utility buses and jeepneys to share with BRT lanes.
Mayor Nestor Archival, in defending the arrangement, said the decision to allow PUVs to pass through the BRT lanes was driven by the need to ease congestion and address the limited number of buses currently operating.
The BRT began partial operations on March 13, 2026, with 17 CiBus units running the Il Corso–IT Park route through Osmeña Boulevard. The initial corridor covered 2.38 kilometers from the Cebu South Bus Terminal to the Capitol.
But with buses arriving only 40 minutes to an hour, the lanes often sat empty while traffic worsened on adjacent roads. To address this, the city allowed modern and traditional jeepneys into the BRT lanes starting last March 18.
Archival stressed that the system cannot yet be considered rapid. “Ang atong BRT, di pa gyud na siya BRT … bus rapid transit. Tungod kay ang mga buses di’ ing-ana ka daghan,” he said, noting that intervals sometimes stretch to nearly an hour.
He added that leaving lanes unused while traffic builds up beside them makes little sense. “Bisan man gani wa’y bus muagi sa lane, wa gamita…unya sa pikas kilid, grabe ka traffic. So it’s also common sense, na let’s try this kind of situation.”
He said opening the lane to jeepneys and other public transport allows better use of road space while encouraging discipline among drivers and commuters, as stops are expected to be limited to designated stations.
The mayor pointed out that requiring jeepneys to stop at BRT stations could help instill discipline among drivers and passengers.
“Sa Cebu, mao man ‘ni atong gi-practice nga bisan asa muhunong mao ni’y maka-dag traffic. In this case, adto na gyud sila hunong sa station. Mao sad ni’y makadisiplina sa mga pasahero,” Archival explained.
Archival said initial observations show an improvement in traffic flow, particularly along previously congested areas, with smoother movement of vehicles reported. He said smoother traffic flow, in a way, benefits drivers by reducing fuel consumption and easing congestion.
The mayor also clarified that private vehicles are still not allowed to use the BRT lane, emphasizing that it is intended solely for public transportation.
There is also no point on letting private vehicles pass through the BRT lane since they do not make multiple stops. “Nganong mangagi man ang mga private vehicles didto nga dili man sila manghunong?” he quipped.
Lighting at BRT stations at night has also been switched on following commuter complaints accordingly.
The mixed-use measure is temporary and will be subject to evaluation, especially as more BRT buses are deployed in the coming months, he said.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has supported the city’s move, noting that adjustments are necessary later while the system is still being developed.
Archival said the city and DOTr will continue monitoring bus frequency, passenger flow, and traffic conditions before deciding on long-term policies.
“There’s so many people, so many complaints, ngano man ‘ni? But this is something we need to adjust. The BRT is not there nga klaro gyud nga BRT,” Archival stressed.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol and CTU Tuburan intern, Jose Luis Flores/RAE
