The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking into the possibility of building a  67.5-kilometer railway from Danao City to Carcar City in Cebu with a 25-kilometer extension to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

In a statement on Friday, the agency said the feasibility study for the planned Metro Cebu Urban Mass Rapid Transit (UMRT) is scheduled to start in October.

“Hopefully, we can start the feasibility study by October. Once we do the feasibility study, we will start coordinating with the local government. This is not just a project of the national government; it is a project for the entire Philippines,” Secretary Giovanni Lopez said. 

In the meantime, Package 1 of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which includes Cebu South Bus Terminal, Cebu Normal University, and Fuente stations, is set to open in March. Once operational, it is expected to serve 34,000 passengers daily.

“Once Package 1 becomes operational, 34,000 passengers daily will benefit. So the BRT will bring significant benefits to Cebu,” Lopez explained.

Other ongoing DOTr initiatives in the region include the construction of bike lanes, implementation of the Love Bus Free Ride Program, development of the New Cebu International Container Port and San Fernando Port, and Public-Private Partnership projects at MCIA and Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

“The Department of Transportation is not only for Metro Manila—equally important is how to connect those in the provinces and regions. You can be assured that this is what DOTr will do,” Lopez said.