MORE FUN IN CEBU French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault peeks out from a “jeepney” window as he travels from the Sto. Niño Church to the provincial capitol of Cebu on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. Ayrault is on his third day of visit to the Philippines aimed at creating closer economic ties between the two countries. AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PNA) — French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault hailed Cebu officials for choosing the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system as the future major means of transport, an official said.
To be named TransCebu, Cebu City’s BRT project is partly financed by France, according to Cebu City Integrated Traffic Operations Management (Citom) chief Atty. Christopher Yap, who is also a member of the TransCebu Technical Working Group.
Ayrault, who came to Manila October 19 for a state visit, flew to Cebu Sunday to attend the TransCebu or BRT briefing and inauguration of the Alliance Francaise de Cebu building along Gorordo Ave., Cebu City.
Alliance Francaise de Cebu is a non-government organization (NGO) in France that promotes French culture in Cebu.
Yap said that when Ayrault was mayor of Nantes, in northwest France, he converted the city’s Cathedral Square, where heavy traffic was experienced every day, into a BRT or BusWay area that permanently solved the traffic problem.
Ayrault’s BRT or BusWay system is now being copied by officials behind TransCebu, he said.
Yap said the BRT briefing held at the Cebu Capitol Social Hall was also witnessed by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Presidential Political Adviser Roland Llamas and French media and businessmen.
Cebu’s TransCebu or BRT system will cost $212 million or some R9.076 billion, to include capital or physical cost ($156 million or R6.694 billion), resettlement and land acquisition ($25 million or R1.044 billion), and project management and coordination ($31 million or R1.337 billion).
The Trans-Cebu or BRT system will be jointly financed by $52 million from the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD); $110 million from the World Bank; $25 million from the Clean Technology Fund, a non-government organization (NGO) dealing with environment-friendly projects; and $25 million from the Philippine government.
During last Sunday’s briefing, Yap led Ayrault to the Cebu Capitol veranda to have a full view of Escario St. corner Osmeña Blvd., which will be part of the BRT system route.
Trans-Cebu will have a total of 15 stations between Bulacao and the Cebu Business Park. The system will be built on the middle of the road, with access to stations at ground level.
The Trans-Cebu stations will have sufficient capacity to accommodate forecast passenger and vehicle demand and will provide a safe, secure and comfortable waiting environment with seating for those who need it, he said. Travelers will also be protected from rain and wind and will be provided with solar panel-powered lighting.
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