Malacanang announces World Bank grant for new Cebu Bus Transport System

World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Wikimedia Commons)

MANILA — The World Bank has given the Philippines a new financial grant intended for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), Malacañang announced on Sunday.

“Malugod na tinatanggap ng pamahalaan ang pag-apruba ng World Bank Board Executive Directors ng isang financing package na nagkakahalaga ng 141 milyong dolyar para sa pagpapatupad ng proyektong Cebu Bus Rapid Transit o CBRT,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. in a radio interview on dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

The CBRT will run from Bulacao to Talamban in Cebu City. This is expected to deliver a fast, reliable, safe and climate-friendly transport system.

“Ang nasabing financial package na kinabibilangan ng 116 milyong dolyar mula sa World Bank at 25 milyong dolyar mula sa Clean Techonology Fund ay gugugulin upang itatag ang isang dalawampu’t tatlong kilometrong rapid bus transit system sa siyudad ng Cebu,” Coloma added.

The financial package includes the construction of transit ways, terminals, stations, depots and other facilities.

Coloma noted that the government will put in more than 87 million dollars as counterpart funding.

“Inaasahang mahigit sa tatlong daang libong pasahero ang makikinabang sa rapid bus transit system na ito araw-araw na naglalayong ibsan ang polusyon at tiyakin ang kaligtasan at ginhawa sa pagbabiyahe ng mga residente ng Cebu,” said Coloma.

“Ang CBRT ay isang sistema na nagtatampok ng pampasaherong bus na tumatakbo sa sarili at hiwalay na mga lanes at kayang magsakay nang higit na maraming manlalakbay kumpara sa ibang uri ng pampublikong transportasyon,” added the Communications Secretary.