SELECT LESSONS LEARNED IN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING BRT SYSTEMS INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: -LESSONS LEARNED & BEING LEARNED IN THE PHILIPPINES

Transcription

1 SELECT LESSONS LEARNED IN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING BRT SYSTEMS INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: -LESSONS LEARNED & BEING LEARNED IN THE PHILIPPINES Ildefonso Patdu Assistant Secretary Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) PHILIPPINES

2 Why BRT is considered 2 Cost-effectiveness Potential to address problems of urban mobility at relatively lower cost and shorter implementation time Catalyst for meaningful public transport reform

3 Opportunities & Challenges for BRT 3 in the Philippines Opportunities Official recognition of BRT as part of the government s National Environmentally Sustainable Transport (NEST) Framework Availability of funds for planning & development Opportunities for private sector participation Need and desire for quicker solutions Vibrant and vigilant social media Challenges Constant need to change people s mindsets including top government officials Traditional preference for expensive and slow-to-implement mass transit solutions Notion that continuous and heavy road infrastructure construction is the ultimate solution to solve traffic congestion Conflicts with the private car sector Lack of understanding of land use-transport integration benefits

4 We know that 4 There are soft aspects of BRT that shape its sustainability aside from physical infrastructure. Political, governance, and planning context Public transport system integration Operating arrangements Finance Communications Branding

5 Our BRT story EDSA Bus Revalidation Survey Oversupply of bus units, overlapping routes Recommend to simplify routes; examine introduction of BRT 2007 Metro Manila BRT Pre-Feasibility Study (USAID) potential corridors identified 2009 Cebu BRT Pre-FS (DOTC, WB) 2011 Cebu BRT FS (DOTC, WB) 2012 Metro Manila BRT FS (DOTC, WB) 2013 President decision to defer approval of Cebu BRT, subject to proof of concept Late May 2014 Approval of Cebu BRT by NEDA Board chaired by the President

6 TransCebu 6 A segregated busway between Bulacao and Ayala Mall Stations and terminals along the segregated busway route A depot for the garaging of buses designated to operate as BRT services An Area Traffic Control (ATC) System for the whole city to facilitate priority run times within the corridor and give city wide benefits of improved traffic flow An open service plan that ensures that while infrastructure is limited to that between Bulacao and Ayala, BRT services operate beyond this. Specifically in the case of Ayala Mall to Talamban where bus passage will be facilitated by bus priority measures where required and where achievable within the confines of the roadway. Traffic management measures to improve traffic flow outside of the corridor that are seen to complement the BRT and maximize its impact

7 7 Interchange with jeepneys

8 BRT Design & Delivery Phase ( ) 8

9 BRT Opera>ons Phase (2017 onwards) 9

10 Important institutional considerations 10 Close synergies and cooperation between national government (DOTC as project proponent) and the local government (Cebu City as project host) Importance of champion(s) within the agency and local government who can rally the agency and other agencies behind the project Purposive and proactive championing of the project with approving authorities, especially if the project is unprecedented

11 Moving forward: 11 Key learnings from the past Importance of a well-prepared technical studies as basis for firm agency decisions Definitive master plan by agency as blueprint, even beyond political term of office Corresponding capacity building for agency management and technical staff Coordination with other pertinent agencies and LGUs (shared goals and vision from the system perspective) Proactive championing of the project by the agency with the support of stakeholders

12 Moving forward: Key learnings from the past and more 12 Managing economic and physical dislocation efficiently Pro-active communications/social marketing plan Need to address the problem of public transport at the root Livelihood vs. service debate New business model for public transport Focus on user needs to tailor-fit public transport solution (no onesize-fits-all solutions)