CEBU CITY, Philippines — After a number of postponements, the Cebu Metropolis authorities now plans to proceed with the dry run of the primary package deal of the Cebu Bus Speedy Transit (BRT) in December 2025.
Mayor Nestor Archival shared that he’s eyeing the launch on both December 11 or 12, which can cowl the route from South Bus Terminal to Osmeña Boulevard.
“There’s a communication [with the national government] that the dry run might be in December,” he mentioned throughout a press convention on Monday, December 1.
Nevertheless, the Cebu Metropolis Public Info Workplace mentioned the precise date has but to be finalized because the Division of Transportation (DOTr) remains to be awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s availability for the inaugural occasion.
READ: Partial operations for Cebu BRT slated this September
Cebu BRT dry run postponed for months
The town authorities scheduled a highway inspection check run in September earlier this yr, which revealed points on site visitors movement and infrastructure.
A proper launch was then set for November 5, 2025, which was purported to characteristic a ceremonial BRT journey for the President and key company, together with Archival, representatives from the DOTr, Cebu Interim Bus Companies (Cibus), and different stakeholders.
Nevertheless, the pilot run was postponed as a result of onslaught of Storm Tino, which struck Cebu on November 4.
Following these delays, Archival harassed the urgency of pushing by way of with the dry run as quickly as doable.
READ: Cebu BRT: Bundle 1 path to formally run on November
Funding withdrawn
The extended undertaking delays have since prompted the World Financial institution to withdraw its funding for CBRT Packages 2 and three.
Though the financial institution is preserving its current mortgage for Bundle 1, it suggested the federal government that additional help is determined by the undertaking’s progress earlier than the mortgage expires in 2026.
They are going to as a substitute help town in connecting with potential traders, whereas urging officers to complete Bundle 1 on schedule to rebuild confidence within the undertaking.
The World Financial institution beforehand loaned the Philippines $116 million for the development of the CBRT, together with $25 million from the Clear Expertise Fund.
READ: Cebu to hunt new funders for BRT after World Financial institution drops funding
Many years-long undertaking
If the pilot run occurs this yr, it’ll introduce the primary route connecting extra areas throughout Cebu Metropolis.
The BRT will function on 13 kilometers of devoted lanes with 17 stations, stretching from South Highway Properties to Cebu IT Park.
Because the nation’s first bus speedy transit system, the CBRT has confronted a long time of delays since its proposal within the Nineties — with points attributable to management adjustments, land disputes, and heritage considerations.
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