Study for Cebu railway eyed October 2026 — DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing to begin the feasibility study for the planned nearly 70-kilometer railway system in Cebu province in the fourth quarter of 2026.

In a statement on Friday, the DOTr said the agency is prioritizing infrastructure projects in Cebu, which include the Metro Cebu Urban Mass Rapid Transit (UMRT).

The 67.5-kilometer Metro Cebu UMRT will span from Danao City to Carcar City. The railway project is also planned to have a 25-kilometer spur line connecting to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

“Hopefully we can start the feasibility study by October 2026. Once we do the feasibility study, we will start coordinating with the local government,” said Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

The DOTr added that it is also targeting to inaugurate next month the Package 1 of Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), composed of three stations — Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) Station, Cebu Normal University (CNU) Station, and Fuente Station.

“Once operational, the Package 1 [of Cebu BRT] will benefit 34,000 passengers daily,” said Lopez.

Apart from the UMRT and BRT, the Transportation Department said other projects in Cebu are continuous, such as the establishment of bike lanes, the implementation of the Love Bus Libreng Sakay Program, construction of New Cebu International Container Port at San Fernando Port, and the ongoing Public-Private Partnership for the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA). — BAP, GMA Integrated News