DOTR eyes underground rail line in Cebu

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking into the construction of an underground rail line in Cebu province to help address vehicular traffic.

In an interview over a government-owned radio system, DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Timothy John Batan said such a project was first discussed with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in 2024.

It was conceived as part of the DOTr’s masterplan to decongest Cebu roads through public transport.

“Dadaan pa ito sa feasibility study. Isa po sa direksyon nating tinatahak ang involvement ng provincial government ng Cebu nang sa ganun ay maging tugma at angkop sa pangagailangan ng mga taga Cebu,”  said Batan.

He said Cebu’s narrow roads make elevated rail lines not feasible and why they are eyeing a subway instead.

“Puwede po pero napakahirap. Magiging baku-bako at liku-liko masyado ang magiging alignment ng ating riles,” added Batan,

Under the DOTr’s Cebu masterplan, the subway will connect Danao City to Carcar City through 50 to 65 kilometers of rail line.

The project’s feasibility study is currently looking into the number of passengers the subway should be able to accommodate.