Cebu BRT Launch Faces Early Hurdles with Passenger Confusion Over Bus Stops
CEBU CITY – The launch of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) system on Friday, March 13, 2026, was met with immediate challenges as passenger confusion over bus stop locations emerged, leading city officials to call for enhanced public information campaigns. The initial operations along the corridor from Natalio Bacalso Avenue near the Cebu South Bus Terminal, through Osmeña Boulevard, up to Fuente Osmeña Circle around 8 a.m. highlighted early teething problems in the new transport system.
Passenger Misunderstandings and Frustrations
Cebu City Councilor Winston Pepito reported that many passengers misunderstood the operational rules of the CBRT, with some incorrectly believing that buses could stop anywhere along the route. "CBRT buses will stop only at designated stations," Pepito emphasized. "In areas where buses operate in mixed traffic outside the dedicated lanes, they will stop only at marked bus stops."
During a ride, a passenger requested to disembark after passing the bus stop in front of Cebu Normal University on Osmeña Boulevard. The conductor informed the passenger that alighting was permitted solely at CBRT stations. The passenger eventually got off at a stop some distance from the school, expressing visible frustration and stating that the CBRT did not serve its intended purpose.
Mixed Reviews on Ride Experience
Despite the confusion, some passengers who rode the Cibus units along the initial CBRT route from Il Corso to Cebu IT Park described the trip as smooth and faster than regular buses. Pau, a 31-year-old passenger whose real name was withheld, noted that the journey was continuous and relatively fast. Pepito explained that the ride avoided heavy traffic in sections with dedicated lanes, reaching destinations quickly, with slowdowns occurring only in mixed-traffic areas where buses share roads with other vehicles.
"The dedicated lanes are a key feature of the system, allowing buses to move more efficiently and giving commuters a faster, more organized alternative to conventional public transportation," Pepito added.
Free Rides and Traffic Congestion
Pepito also announced that commuters can ride for free for one year under the Department of Transportation’s Libreng Sakay program during the initial operations. However, traffic conditions presented additional challenges. Cebu City Transportation Office head Raquel Arce reported moderate to heavy traffic early in the morning, which worsened by the afternoon, with congestion peaking at Fuente Osmeña Circle and along N. Bacalso Avenue.
At least 17 buses are operating during the initial rollout, though 30 units have been approved, with only 17 ready for deployment. This partial rollout allows the completed portion under Package 1 to be utilized, featuring dedicated bus lanes along key sections of major roads. However, buses operate in mixed traffic outside these dedicated lanes, limiting the full efficiency of the bus rapid transit system.
Project Delays and Funding Issues
The rollout follows years of delays that repeatedly pushed back the project’s target completion dates. The Department of Transportation reported that Package 1 is about 97 percent complete, with remaining work involving punch-list items and final inspections. The first operational stretch runs from the Cebu South Bus Terminal to Fuente Osmeña Circle, designed to accommodate up to 34,000 passengers daily once fully operational.
However, prolonged delays have impacted funding, with the World Bank withdrawing support for Packages 2 and 3 due to implementation pace concerns. The National Government is now exploring alternative funding arrangements, such as public-private partnerships, to complete the remaining components. Despite these challenges, transport authorities confirmed that the initial portion would proceed as planned.
