Cavite bus rapid transit system to operate before 2025 ends

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Under the P1.87-billion project, there will be 3 terminals in Cavite from PITX: in Kawit, at the boundary of Imus and General Trias, and in Trece Martires City

BATANGAS, Philippines – Commuters from and to the densely populated areas of Cavite can expect a network of rapid buses operating before the year ends to ease transport woes. 

The provincial government of Cavite on Monday, January 27, entered a public-private partnership with Megawide Corporation and Maplecrest Group Inc. for the P1.87-billion Cavite Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) System Project. 

The joint venture agreement was approved on December 26, 2024, said Governor Athena Tolentino, who led the signing ceremonies along with Jaime Feliciano and Edgar Saavedra of Megawide, and Erlaster Sotto and Guillermo Choa of Maplecrest at the Twin Lakes Hotel Ballroom in Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway here in Batangas. 

In her speech, Tolentino said the point-to-point bus system will have 3 terminals in Cavite: in Kawit, at the boundary of Imus and General Trias, and in Trece Martires City. These are among the most densely populated cities in the province. Between them and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, there will be 37 bus stations. 

The buses will have specific departure times from the terminals. 

JOINT VENTURE. Cavite Governor Athena Tolentino signs the public-private partnership for the bus rapid transit system with Jaime Feliciano of Megawide and Erlaster Sotto of Maplecrest Group Inc. at Twin Lakes Hotel in Laurel, Batangas, on January 27, 2025. Dennis Abrina/Rappler

According to Megawide, it targets to start partial operations of the CBRT system ahead of the holiday season of 2025, when passenger volume usually picks up. 

Once the system is fully operational, it is expected to reduce around 25 percent of the traffic in the areas to be serviced, Tolentino said. 

On the sidelines of the event, Imus Mayor Alex Advincula said the CBRT system, as an “efficient mass transportation” system, will ease the burden on commuters in terms of fare and time spent on the road. “The ordinary citizen will not need to buy a car, and save a lot,” he said.

General Trias City Mayor Luis Ferrer IV said the system will make it easier for his city’s residents who work in Manila. 

Cavite, immediately south of Manila, has a population of 4.34 million, as of the latest census in 2020. It is the second most populated province after Cebu. – Rappler.com