Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

[LordCarnal]

If ever there's going to be an MRT/LRT in Cebu, it's actually just going to be a revival of the old Philippine Railway line.

So it's actually pointless to talk about the narrow interior roads of the city, hehehe..

It would be a revival in the sense that the proposed MRT/LRT will follow the same old line and will still connect the same towns that it served before (from Carcar City in the south passing by the cities of Talisay, Cebu and Mandaue and all the way up north to Danao city).

The MRT/LRT is actually not bad. It's just providing us with an alternative to be efficient.



Trivia to local residents:

Actually, we still have functioning railways in Cebu. They're at a sugar plantation in Medellin, Cebu. I saw one carrying loads of sugar cane! There's also a railroad crossing at the highway going to San Remigio town and trains do still cross there even today. Hehehe..




..

[LordCarnal]

The Philippine Railway in Cebu (circa 1944)

- my venerable uncle told me that the Central Station was once at the site where EMALL is right now.

[alcogoodwin]

Originally Posted by arnold_carl

^

It would be a revival in the sense that the proposed MRT/LRT will follow the same old line and will still connect the same towns that it served before (from Carcar City in the south passing by the cities of Talisay, Cebu and Mandaue and all the way up north to Danao city).

Actually, we still have functioning railways in Cebu. They're at a sugar plantation in Medellin, Cebu. I saw one carrying loads of sugar cane! There's also a railroad crossing at the highway going to San Remigio town and trains do still cross there even today. Hehehe..

..

Just a couple of questions.

1) Is much of the original railway formation still vacant of buildings?

2) How long ago did you see this sugar train for the Medellin Mill? I was under the impression they had dumped rail. If not, then Cebu may well be on the list for my next trip.

3) What do the trains aul through this crossing in San Remingo? Is this for the Medellin Mill as well?

Thanks
Brad

[alcogoodwin]

Originally Posted by dodong

BTW, was there a railway construction after the war and before LRT1? As fas as I know, the railway from dagupan to manila was constructed in 1892 and the extension railways from dagupan to la union and manila to legaspi were constructed in 1916. branch lines within central luzon and metro manila were also constructed in 1916.

I can finally answer this in the afirmative.
The branchline to Carmona was opened in 1973, April 1st to be exact.
This thus predates the LRT.

It was recently pointed out to me as being important as it is 'currently' the only remaining railway in Cavite province.

Brad

[LordCarnal]

Originally Posted by alcogoodwin

Just a couple of questions.

1) Is much of the original railway formation still vacant of buildings?

2) How long ago did you see this sugar train for the Medellin Mill? I was under the impression they had dumped rail. If not, then Cebu may well be on the list for my next trip.

3) What do the trains aul through this crossing in San Remingo? Is this for the Medellin Mill as well?

Thanks
Brad

The railways in the city are long gone although I still saw some (sometime 1996, I was still grade six then) including a railway bridge in the southern part of Cebu. The question is if they still exist right now.

Regarding the sugar train in Medellin, the last time I saw a functioning one was in 2003 when we went to a beach resort there.

Actually the highway cuts through the sugar plantation thus the crossing with that "X" sign that looks like a stoplight, hehe..


..

[alcogoodwin]

Originally Posted by arnold_carl

The railways in the city are long gone although I still saw some (sometime 1996, I was still grade six then) including a railway bridge in the southern part of Cebu. The question is if they still exist right now.

Regarding the sugar train in Medellin, the last time I saw a functioning one was in 2003 when we went to a beach resort there.

Actually the highway cuts through the sugar plantation thus the crossing with that "X" sign that looks like a stoplight, hehe..


..

Thanks for this.
Would it be easy to relay the tracks in the same place again or has it all been built over?
If built over, I wonder if it was done legally or its a 'informal settler' type situation as in Manila.

Thanks
Brad

[LordCarnal]

BUS RAPIT TRANSIT TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY DECEMBER
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb...ber.mayor.html


EVEN if he suffers politically, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants to set up the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the Banilad-Talamban corridor as soon as possible to reduce traffic there.

Osmeña said that if they can put everything in place by December, including the buses, the City Government may start implementing it by the end of the year.

The mayor said the Banilad-Talamban stretch will be the pilot travel line, where 20 air-conditioned Kaohsiung buses will service the commuters during the initial operations.

City Hall will operate the BRT itself but will eventually bid out the project to private investors, who will also have to provide the buses.

Osmeña said it is about time the City implements the transport system that has helped Curitiba, Brazil address its traffic problems and improve the quality of life of its citizens for 30 years now.

“We’re going to try to implement this in the Banilad-Talamban corridor in less than one year so we can eventually remove the cars and jeepneys from the roads. I’m going to exercise political will on this because very clearly, status quo is not acceptable anymore,” said the mayor.

Consulted

In his news conference yesterday, Osmeña assured that the students of schools in the Banilad and Talamban areas will be consulted when the City identifies bus stops.

Jeepneys will still be allowed to ply the Banilad-Talamban route during the initial stages of operations but will not be allowed to stop on the designated BRT bus stops.

But once the operations are in full swing, jeepneys will not be allowed to ply the route.

“Once it is fully implemented, there will be no more jeepneys there. If we can implement this by Christmas, fine. We have to have a working model for everyone to understand and in the future, we will have the private sector run it,” said Osmeña.

A BRT system works like the train system but uses buses instead of train coaches and bus lanes instead of train tracks. It is also cheaper to operate.

Stairless

The buses are stairless and passengers pay at the specially designed bus stops.

As in Curitiba, the mayor said there will be lanes that will be dedicated solely for the buses. The Curitiba BRT uses up to five bi-articulate buses connected by bolts.

When asked how much the system will cost, the mayor said in jest: “Fifty thousand votes for BO-PK.” He expects city-wide opposition to the plan, but said he will do it anyway to solve the congestion problems in the city.

“We are not doing this for profit so if we have to subsidize it, we will subsidize the operations at least during the early stage. We have to transfer the passengers to the buses to minimize the number of vehicles on the road,” he said.

[Ex!lE]

Debate looms on transport system



By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU CITY — A debate on what is the best public transport system in Metro Cebu is shaping up.


The Cebu Provincial Board is set to pass a resolution in support of a bill filed by Cebu 1st District Rep. Eduardo Gullas to establish a rail system in the province similar to the Light Rail Transit (LRT) System in Metro Manila to solve the city’s perennial traffic problems.

The move of the Provincial Board came on the heels of reports that the Cebu City government is also eyeing the establishment of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for Cebu City as a mode of public transportation, also to address traffic problems.

Guillas had the measure to construct an LRT system in Metro Cebu, also noting that "now is the perfect time to build an LRT system because of the increasing value of the peso against the dollar.

In support of Guillas’ measure, Board Member Juan Bolo the LRT is the perfect solution to the worsening traffic problem in Metro Cebu that has been the result of rapid population increase, attributed mainly to migration.

Bolo also said he believes the LRT system will also provide a convenient form of travel that could be enjoyed by Cebuanos and its migrants.

In his measure filed in Congress, Guillas said Cebu desperately needed a fast, safe and economical LRT system in order to ease heavy motor vehicle traffic congestion.

"There is no question that Cebu desperately needs a fast, safe, convenient and economical LRT system. This is the best time for the government to invest in such a mass transport project in Cebu, with the peso strengthening against the US dollar," Gullas earlier said.

He said two years ago, a -billion LRT line would have cost P55 billion. "Now, it would cost us only P46 billion to put up the same project," he added.

Gullas’ initiative came as the national government prepared to reinforce Cebu’s infrastructure support under the Central Philippines Investment Program.

Under the program, Malacañang approved P60.8-billion infrastructure spending program for Cebu up to 2010.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City government is also eyeing the establishment of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for Cebu City as a mode of public transportation, also to solve the worsening traffic problem here.

Cebu City Planning and Development Officer Nagiel Paul Villarete said City Hall wants to establish a BRT system in the northern corridor particularly along the eight-kilometer Gov. Cuenco Avenue.

Villarete said there is a need to widen the four-lane Gov. Cuenco Avenue to six lanes to make it feasible for BRT operations.

The BRT has been adopted in some American, Latin American and Asian countries. It involves segregated bus lanes with stations along the routes. The bus lanes are exclusively for the BRT units’ use.

It also features pre-board fare collection and fare verification, restricted operator access, and "clean bus" technologies. As an advantage over railways, it can be constructed in 12 to 18 months and costs less.

A railway transit, on the other hand, could take three to 30 years to complete and could cost -0 million per kilometer.

[animasola]

I'd rather have a BRT system than an LRT network, but if subways were in the picture... hmm.

[great184]

In my opinion, BRTs first as it is the faster solution to implement, then LRTs, using underground routes in the denser areas, and above grade in suburban areas.

[mwg12a]

I think anything that is well planned and feasible for Cebu is always welcomed. All of it will really bring progress in that region.

[Jarenz]

for long term solution.... i go for subways....

[IndioBravo]

Is this really true.Is Cebu going to be the first city in the Phil. to have a BRT?WoW!





[IMG]http://[/IMG]

Originally Posted by arnold_carl

BUS RAPIT TRANSIT TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY DECEMBER
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb...ber.mayor.html


EVEN if he suffers politically, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants to set up the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the Banilad-Talamban corridor as soon as possible to reduce traffic there.

Osmeña said that if they can put everything in place by December, including the buses, the City Government may start implementing it by the end of the year.

The mayor said the Banilad-Talamban stretch will be the pilot travel line, where 20 air-conditioned Kaohsiung buses will service the commuters during the initial operations.

City Hall will operate the BRT itself but will eventually bid out the project to private investors, who will also have to provide the buses.

Osmeña said it is about time the City implements the transport system that has helped Curitiba, Brazil address its traffic problems and improve the quality of life of its citizens for 30 years now.

“We’re going to try to implement this in the Banilad-Talamban corridor in less than one year so we can eventually remove the cars and jeepneys from the roads. I’m going to exercise political will on this because very clearly, status quo is not acceptable anymore,” said the mayor.

Consulted

In his news conference yesterday, Osmeña assured that the students of schools in the Banilad and Talamban areas will be consulted when the City identifies bus stops.

Jeepneys will still be allowed to ply the Banilad-Talamban route during the initial stages of operations but will not be allowed to stop on the designated BRT bus stops.

But once the operations are in full swing, jeepneys will not be allowed to ply the route.

“Once it is fully implemented, there will be no more jeepneys there. If we can implement this by Christmas, fine. We have to have a working model for everyone to understand and in the future, we will have the private sector run it,” said Osmeña.

A BRT system works like the train system but uses buses instead of train coaches and bus lanes instead of train tracks. It is also cheaper to operate.

Stairless

The buses are stairless and passengers pay at the specially designed bus stops.

As in Curitiba, the mayor said there will be lanes that will be dedicated solely for the buses. The Curitiba BRT uses up to five bi-articulate buses connected by bolts.

When asked how much the system will cost, the mayor said in jest: “Fifty thousand votes for BO-PK.” He expects city-wide opposition to the plan, but said he will do it anyway to solve the congestion problems in the city.

“We are not doing this for profit so if we have to subsidize it, we will subsidize the operations at least during the early stage. We have to transfer the passengers to the buses to minimize the number of vehicles on the road,” he said.

[mwg12a]

Originally Posted by Jarenz

for long term solution.... i go for subways....

Subway and MRT/LRT is just the same principle and system except that one is way above the ground and the other is under the ground. With all the built-up already in Cebu and adjacent areas, it's hard to dig underground for a tunnel and the fact that Cebu sometimes experience trophical storms or rains and can flood certain areas of cebu, it wouldn't be too wise to have subway system. It's much wiser to start with BRT and then progress to a rail system if not LRT/MRT at once. It would be nice to ride on it and see the nice city of Cebu and it's surroundings.

[-sharkleman125-]

nag december na wala parin BRT??

[Ex!lE]

^ As per recent press released, it will be initially implemented early next year.

[amras]

wow, this is really a good development. I am particularly excited to see the new buses (stairless! like those buses in other countries?). Hopefully this could be a good model for other Philippine cities.

[bustero]

I'm putting up a dedicated Thread for BRT developments in the country. Currently understudy and very likely to follow. The thread is for education, discussion and updating of news and issues regarding BRT or Bus Rapid Transit systems. This is to be differentiated from the Bus Lines Thread which is of terestrial inter and intra city bus services. Anyway a pretty important topic for any big urban center (not only MM) which is looking at Mass Transit Solutions.

from a hundred years hence- http://hundredyearshence.blogspot.com/
2.26.2008
if you want to know more about brt

All About Bus Rapid Transit



This one's for the great folks over at the Philippine Forums of Skyscraper City who are discussing how we put up bus rapid transit in our cities:

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign (www.tstc.org) has a great online resource on Bus Rapid Transit (http://www.tstc.org/issues/brt.html) -what it looks like, how it works (in urban and suburban settings). It's a very concise introduction to BRT systems and links to tons of resources.

If it's any comfort, the TSTC is also trying to get BRT implemented and expanded in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area and are working to build up the political will to improve public transit in their megacity.


With a hat tip to Streetsblog.

brt up close

http://hundredyearshence.blogspot.co...n+metro+manila
The public transportation system
we could have in Metro Manila

Here's an even more in depth look at bus rapid transit -how it works and how it is managed, featuring Bogota's Transmilenio.

http://www.streetfilms.org/flvplayer.swf
http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/...ransit-bogota/[INDENT]Bus Rapid Transit: Bogota

image hosted on flickr




The video is from The Oil Drum and was produced by Streetfilms, the same folks who gave you the documentary on Bogota's Ciclovia.

Just so you know that BRT systems are not only about improving traffic, but is basically about social justice through efficient transportation, read more about the Transmilenio's impact on the urban poor from the BoP folks in NextBillion. They write:

For Enrique Peñalosa, the mayor of Bogotá who drove the initial planning and implementation of Transmilenio, making high quality transportation accessible to Bogotá's low-income population was central to the project. By attacking the public transportation crisis, characterized by "penny wars," gaps in service, unequal pricing, high levels of pollution, and serious traffic congestion, the new BRT system aimed to reduce inequality. This included not only disparities in the quality of transportation services, but also long-term economic and educational inequities perpetuated by a lack of mobility and access between high and low-income areas of the city. [WRI has an interesting feature piece available that also describes the breadth and vision of Peñalosa's urban reform efforts].

Hmmm. So "public transportation crisis" that is characterized by "penny wars, gaps in service, unequal pricing, high levels of pollution, and serious traffic congestion."

Does that sound familiar?



Some old posts

Originally Posted by AH-7Raja

I agree. You got it dude!

Meanwhile, HEADSSS UP PINOYSSSKIII!!!

IS RP still interested in implementing BRT atleast in MM?

These are some quotes from their feasibility studies of implementing BRT:

http://www.iges.or.jp/APEIS/RISPO/spo/pdf/sp4202.pdf
Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a system that emphasises priority for and rapid movement of buses by
securing segregated busways (IEA, 2002). BRT is also called other names including
“high-capacity bus systems,” “high-quality bus systems,” “metro-bus” “express bus systems,”
“busway systems,” and “surface metro systems (Wright, 2002). The extent of dedicated
infrastructure and the level of sophistication of different systems vary considerably depending on
the case (IEA, 2002). Well planned BRTs have high capacities to carry passengers and can
provide comfortable, rapid, and low-cost public transport alternatives. BRTs started in Curitiba
(Brazil) and are becoming widespread in the region including Bogota (Columbia), and Quito
(Equador), and have proved to be a very cost effective alternative (for characteristics of BRT in
Brazilian cities, please refer to analytical background paper II-1). In North America, a number of
cities have begun to develop BRT systems, including Ottawa (Canada), Pittsburgh, Los Angeles,
and Honolulu (the United States). In Oceania, Brisbane and Adelaide (Australia) have BRT
systems. In Europe, BRTs are becoming increasingly common in cities in the United Kingdom,
including Leeds, London, Reading, and Ispwich. Cities in Asia are starting to introduce BRT,
such as the systems in Nagoya (Japan), Taipei (China), Jakarta (Indonesia), and Seoul (Korea).
Introductions of BRT are being considered in Beijing (P.R. China), Bangkok (Thailand), Delhi,
Hyderabad (India), and Dhaka (Bangladesh) (IEA, 2002, Wright and Fjellstrom, 2002, ITDP,
2003a, Fjellstrom, 2003a, 2003b).


http://www.adb.org/AnnualMeeting/200...nne-Guzman.pdf
A free-for-all road like EDSA can move perhaps 3,000 to 4,000 passengers per lane per
direction. Once the peak hours hit and roads become congested, there is an increase in travel
costs, such as fuel consumption and health and productivity impacts. An exclusive bus lane, in
very specific operating conditions, can move up to 20,000 passengers per direction per peak
hour and enable buses to maintain speeds of up to 27 kilometers per hour. Hence, the
introduction of exclusive bus facilities on an existing right-of-way can significantly improve the
targeting of that road asset to the benefit of the poor (footnote 12).
This alternative mass transit mode, as used in Bogota, is more popularly known as the
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. It is a bus-based transit system that imitates the speed and
performance of a rail system through exclusive right-of-way lanes. The greatest advantage of
establishing a BRT over railways is the cost. 13 Aside from the high cost of building and
maintaining a rail-based system, considerable attention must also be given to the operational
cost it entails. The 16.8 kilometer-EDSA MRT, for instance, is subsidized by the Government at
US$7.5 billion annually.

For US$1 billion it is possible to establish 7 kilometers of subway or 14 kilometers of
elevated rail or 426 kilometers of BRT.15 If the BRT concept had been adopted in Metro Manila
instead of the MRT, the mass transport system would have reached nearby provinces with the
same budget, which would have created compact suburban areas and decongested the city
further.

INDONESIA
http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/fs/2007/96410.htm
http://trb.metapress.com/content/k40242r10k021514/

Fact Sheet
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Washington, DC
November 28, 2007

Reducing Traffic Congestion
The transportation sector poses GHG and air quality concerns, as well as loss of productivity due to traffic congestion. Promoting and supporting public transportation can help reduce traffic congestion and the negative environmental impacts of idling traffic.

The United States government provided the initial funding to the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy for the Livable Communities Initiative to establish TransJakarta, Indonesia's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. TransJakarta has now reached seven corridors covering 97 kilometers, carrying 200,000 passengers per day, and reducing emissions of urban pollutants and GHGs. It is anticipated to expand to more than 170 kilometers by January 2008, making it the world's largest BRT system.

On February 1, 2004, a 12.9-km (8-mi) bus rapid transit (BRT) line began revenue operation in Jakarta, Indonesia. The BRT line has incorporated most of the characteristics of BRT systems. The line was implemented in only 9 months at a cost of less than US1 million/km (1.6 million/mi). Two additional lines are scheduled to begin operation in 2005 and triple the size of the BRT. While design shortcomings for the road surface and terminals have impaired performance of the system, public reaction has been positive. Travel time over the whole corridor has been reduced by 59 min at peak hour. Average ridership is about 49,000/day at a flat fare of 30 cents. Furthermore, 20% of BRT riders have switched from private motorized modes, and private bus operators have been supportive of expanding Jakarta's BRT. Immediate improvements are needed in the areas of fiscal handling of revenues and reconfiguring of other bus routes. The TransJakarta BRT is reducing transport emissions for Jakarta and providing an alternative to congested streets. The BRT provides a tangible vision for an effective, viable, and sustainable public transportation system in Jakarta and elsewhere.




PHILIPPINES



- Date: 28-29 November 2005

- Venue: Manila, Philippines

- Organizers: UNCRD in collaboration with Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) and German Technical Assistance Agency (GTZ)

- Participants: 40 concerned government officials/individuals in the Philippines and Kazunobu Onogawa (Director, UNCRD)


In line with the Aichi Statement adopted by 14 Asian countries and in collaboration with CAI-Asia, GTZ, and the Government of Philippines, UNCRD provided support to conduct the pre-feasibility study for implementing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Metro Manila Project with the objective to ease traffic and reduce air pollution in Metro Manila. As part of this overall project, a training course was held in November 2005 in Manila, Philippines for capacity building of local officials to develop and implement a BRT system in Metro Manila area. More than 40 concerned government officials/individuals in the Philippines took part in the training.

http://www.uncrd.or.jp/env/est/


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manila looks forward to high-speed bus service
Bus rapid transit (BRT) system moves closer to reality (by Aurora Fe Ables, Transport Specialist, CAI-Asia Center)
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1...cle-72058.html


METRO MANILA, 28 August 2007: The dream of Metro Manila commuters to enjoy the comforts of a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system, similar to TransMilenio in Bogotá, Colombia and TransJakarta in Jakarta, Indonesia has just moved closer to reality, as the results of a pre-feasibility study was received positively by the Ms. Anneli Lontoc, Undersecretary for Transportation of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Friday, 10 August 2007.


DOTC Usec. Anneli Lontoc receives the report on the "Pre-feasibility Study for a Bus Rapid Transit System in the Greater Metro Manila Area" from Mr. Jose "Boy" Dulce of USAID Philippines as DOTC Dir. Ildefonso Patdu, CAI-Asia Deputy Executive Director Sophie Punte, NCTS FI study team leader Dr. Ricardo Sigua, and USAID-ECAP Deputy Chief-of-Party Arlene Donaire look on. (Photo by Cody Rabe)


A BRT system is a viable mass rapid system using buses that operate on exclusive lanes with the convenience and features commonly found in rail systems such as pre-boarding fare collection at stations, scheduled and fast trips, and the use of intelligent transport systems (global positioning system or GPS). BRT can serve similar passenger capacities as in rail systems. It can be implemented at 10-20% the cost of rail systems and in as short as 18 months. BRT systems are widely used in the Latin Americas, the US, Europe, Australia, and in Asian countries such as China and Indonesia.

"Providing affordable, efficient, and convenient transport to commuters in the country, especially in Manila is a priority of the DOTC, and I am very supportive of a full feasibility study to make a BRT system in Metro Manila a reality" Usec. Lontoc said in her acceptance speech.

In behalf of DOTC, Undersecretary Lontoc received the report on the "Pre-feasibility Study for a Bus Rapid Transit System in the Greater Metro Manila Area" from Mr. Jose "Boy" Dulce, Development Assistance Specialist from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Philippines; Ms. Arlene Donaire, Deputy Chief-of-Party of USAID Energy and Clean Air Project (ECAP); Dr. Ricardo Sigua of University of the Philippines National Center for Transportation Studies (UP NCTS) Foundation Inc. and Ms. Sophie Punte, Deputy Executive Director of Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) Center.

The pre-feasibility study, funded by USAID, was implemented by the UP NCTSFI with inputs from UP NCTS, ECAP and CAI-Asia. Further support was provided by an Inter-Agency Technical Working Group on Bus Rapid Transit (IATWG), comprising representatives from transportation, environment, and energy agencies, chaired by DOTC Director for Transport Planning Service and co-chaired by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

The pre-feasibility study originated from BRT briefing meetings in the Philippines organized by CAI-Asia and its local network in the Philippines, Partnership for Clean Air, and the BRT Training Workshop funded by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in 2005.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Ricardo Sigua
Team leader, BRT pre-feasibility study
University of the Philippines National Center for Transportation Studies Foundation Inc.
UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: +63(2)923-8305
Email: rsigua@pldtdsl.net

Mr. Rey Goco
Chief-of-Party, Energy and Clean Air Project (ECAP)
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
PA Consulting Group
Unit 2605,Raffles Corporate Center, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: +63(2)914-1106 local 09 to 08
Email: r_goco@ecap.com.ph

BRT, DOTC, mass transit, public transportation




Meron palang pagasang magkaroon tayo ng BRT system kahit na privately owned ito (ngayon ko lang napansin ito):

Bus rapid transit system eyed for Cebu northern corridor


http://globalnation.inquirer.net/ceb...ticle_id=87921
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 02:48pm (Mla time) 09/11/2007


Cebu City, Philippines – The establishment of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will be a more feasible mode of public transportation for Cebu City because its capital costs are lower compared to a metro rail system, Cebu City Planning and Development Officer Nigel Paul Villarete said.

Citing a feasibility study to determine the viability of establishing a BRT system in Manila, Villarete said at least $500,000 to $15 million is required per kilometer.

The cost includes the purchase of buses and the establishment of needed infrastructure. Operation begins within 18 months.

On the other hand, Villarete said a metro rail system will cost $25 million to $60 million per kilometer, while a light rail transit system costs $15 million to $40 million per kilometer.

Villarete said BRT operations should be a private sector initiative and one operator may be assigned per line.

Citing the Curatiba BRT system in Brazil as a model, he said the government should only get involved in the regulation and control of the system and in fixing and collecting fares.

“Based on the Curatiba model, there is a contract between the government and the operator. The government collects payments and then pays the operator on a per kilometer basis. Kung ingon ani ang paagi, dili na mag huwat ug dugay ang buses sa mga pasahero. Mapugos sila ug larga on time kay per kilometer traveled man ilang bayad,” he said.

The Cebu City government wants to establish a BRT system in the northern corridor particularly along the eight-kilometer Gov. Cuenco Avenue.

Villarete said there is a need to widen the four-lane Gov. Cuenco Avenue to six lanes to make it feasible for BRT operations.

The BRT system will need two inner lanes, while four lanes will be for private vehicles.

The city government is also studying the feasibility of a metro-wide operation to cater to commuters from the neighboring cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay.

World Bank has offered to provide technical assistance and loans to private investors to purchase buses.

Apart from Brazil, the BRT system is also used in Japan, Indonesia, Australia and Columbia./Reporter Doris C. Bongcac



Here are some of its bus photos (stolen from some indonesian flickr member):

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr




Those are the REAL BUSES for mass transportation and NOT LIKE the ones we see in the philippines w/ the LOWEST standard features where the only beauty they see are the outside look of their newly painted imported buses!!! Sayang ang pagiging innovative ng mga pinoy kund ito sana ay ginagamit sa mas magandang paraan tulad ng paggawa ng ating sariling buses that will fit for the real mass bus rapid transit!

See? If they can do it, WHY not us? I think its about time to educate, and introduce this BRT system to all filipinos and adopt it as soon as possible.



Check this indonesian skycraper link related BRT thread:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=177848
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...177848&page=25

Its very encouraging... Sana gayahin na natin ito ASAP! At paalisin nayang mga jeepneys! Bigyan nalang sila ng trabaho sa mga construction, mining, and BRT drivers...



Their buses didnt have the electronic signage system, a very typical-like MRTs, because it wasn't patterned after the typical BRT system like the ones we can find in north american countries, rather it was patterned w/ the colombian BRT.

This is the Electronic Signage that we need to be installed in our buses once we implement the BRT system, not unless if we adopt the Colombian style BRT:
image hosted on flickr


BTW, yo'll be surprised that even in an african nation of Nigeria has implemented a BRT:

Nigeria

Lagos BRT segregated lanes and bus shelter on Ikorodu road

Lagos is building a bus rapid transit system and expects the first phase to be complete by the end of November 2007.
[2] [3] It is expected operate on eight routes on special BRT Lanes running through the city but will expand its operation.

First phase of the Lagos BRT to run from Mile 12 through Ikorodu Road and Funsho Williams Avenue up to CMS is scheduled to start operation by November 2007.

It is projected that the system will carry up to 10,000 passengers per direction per hour during peak travel hours.

The LAMATA BRT corridor is about 22 kilometres in length.

Two operators, NURTW Cooperative and LAGBUS, a Lagos State Government owned Asset Management Company are contributing about 180 high capacity buses for the implementation of the first phase Mile 12 to CMS BRT Lite system.

More about BRT here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_rapid_transit

[bustero]

BRT in Beijing
Metro Manila may get Bus Rapid Transit



Vol. XXI, No. 27
Monday, September 3, 2007 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The Nation

Bus rapid transport system to put order
on Metro Manila thorough fares (sic)

METRO MANILA may soon put order to its bus system with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) considering a bus rapid transit (BRT) system to address congestion.

A team of transportation experts early this month completed a pre-feasibility study for a BRT system for the metropolis.

The technical working group, chaired by Transportation Undersecretary Anneli R. Lontoc, include representatives from the United States Agency for International Development, University of the Philippines’ National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS) and nongovernmental group Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Center.

The BRT system will be similar to the TransMilenio in Bogota, Colombia and TransJakarta in Jakarta, Indonesia, the groups said in a statement.

The BRT is a mass transportation system using buses that operate on exclusive lanes with features commonly found in rail systems: pre-boarding fare collection at stations, scheduled trips, and the use of intelligent transport systems such as global positioning system.

The project proponents will attempt to combine the advantages of a metro system (exclusive right-of-way improves punctuality and frequency) with the advantages of a bus system (low construction and maintenance costs).

And while the system approaches the service quality of rail transit, it still provides the cost savings of bus transit.

Last March at the signing of a Metro Manila Declaration for Environmentally Sustainable Transportation, Jose Regin F. Regidor, director of NCTS, had said BRT is "environmentally sustainable transport."

It needs to be mainstreamed and not remain as a mere alternative to the current situation, he added.

The group said it soon will undertake a full feasibility study of a public BRT system, which would consider how commercial buses fit into the system.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is currently implementing an organized bus route system for the metropolis’ 2,000 privately owned buses. BRT systems are widely used in the Latin Americas, the United States, Europe, Australia, and in Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Taiwan and Indonesia. — Maria Kristina C. Conti

Originally Posted by queetz@home

Well well well...why I am not surprised that AH-7Raja got banned! And its funny that he answered my question using a dead link...

Anyways, it looks like nobody was able to answer my challenge for a Rustans gift certificate but for those that are interested to know, the basic flaw on his premise is the fact that he suggested that the existing fleet of buses in the Philippines can be used for BRT operations, thus not needing to acquire new ones (in this case, to be imported).

BRT comes from all shapes and sizes:

1) Ultra simple ones like the B-Lines in Vancouver, basically just uses Bendy buses with a GPS system to inform ppl when the next bus is come

2) More organized ones like the LA Orange Line that requires tickets to be purchases prior to boarding like an LRT line with buses that can override traffic signals

3) The weird looking ones like the guided busways you see in Perth

4) The extreme ones in Curtiba, Brazil where buses up to three coaches long are used

5) The ultra complex to the point that it barely functions at all like the Guided Light Transit you see in Nancy, France.

6) Just plain silly like the Las Vegas MAX optical guided Irisbus Civis whose guidance system is pretty much useless due to the desert sand covering the painted lines that the bus needs to dock closer to the station

But one thing that every single BRT system has that has in common is ease of accessibility to its passengers. This is done by the use of either low floor buses or modified high floor ones (i.e. the Asian buses shown in this thread). This is a fundamental requirement for all BRT operations, rapid isn't just about the vehicles themselves but the movement of people in and out of the vehicle.







Virtually every Philippine bus out there still requires people to climb up steps, which severely slow down the movement of passengers. It doesn't matter if the bus has two doors, the stairs impede the efficiency, thus nullifying the basic advantage that BRT schemes are suppose to offer, which is an efficient bus based system designed to move large amounts of people in a timely manner.

image hosted on flickr


That said, if the Philippines want to implement a BRT system in any of the cities, you simply CANNOT use the existing fleet, which is contrary to what AH-7Raja specifically mentioned. New buses need to be procured from the major manufacturers abroad or assembled locally with this basic but significant feature.

[RonnieR]

wow, comprehensive compilation of data....this would address the pollution and transportation woes of big cities like Metro Manila and Cebu. Hope this BRT would be implemented soon. I've seen the Transjakarta and it is successful.