Screengrab from DOTr

Looks like Cebu might soon be going underground—literally! The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is gearing up to address Cebu's notorious traffic with an ambitious plan to build a subway system.

Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan revealed that talks with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the provincial government have been ongoing since 2024. The goal? To ease road congestion and make public transportation the go-to option for locals.

But it’s not as simple as just laying down tracks. “We’re still in the feasibility study phase,” Usec. Batan shared on DOTr’s Radyo Pilipinas program Sakay Na!. He emphasized the importance of involving the provincial government to ensure the project truly fits Cebu’s unique needs.

Here’s the deal: Cebu’s narrow roads make elevated railways—like those in Metro Manila—a no-go. “We looked at Cebu, and there’s really no long and wide road suitable for an elevated railway. That’s how the idea for a subway came about,” Batan explained.

And it’s not just about space; an elevated rail line would mean winding, uneven tracks, which just isn’t practical. A subway, on the other hand, could stretch 60 to 65 kilometers, connecting Danao City in the north to Carcar City in the south.

But before construction kicks off, the DOTr will conduct a demand study to estimate how many passengers the Cebu Subway could serve daily. “We need to start with a ridership study to get an idea of the subway's potential,” Batan added.

While it’s still in the early stages, the idea of a Cebu Subway is already sparking excitement. Could this finally be the solution to Cebu’s traffic woes? Fingers crossed!