Glitch

Gov’t urged to improve public transportation system

A traffic and transport consulting industry director said on Wednesday that the government needs a stronger political will in implementing a more efficient public transportation to avoid traffic congestion, instead of widening roads.

Published

8 years ago

November 19, 2016

Anna Mogato

Director Kelvin Foo Yong Kiang of Total Traffic Solutions Group of Singapore and Vietnam emphasized the importance of efficient public transportation in reducing the number of vehicles on the road in a panel discussion organized by third year Tourism students from the University.

“Trying to change our mindset to use a public transport is not easy. But as a society, to aid traffic congestion, someone must pay the price,” Kiang said.

Singapore is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that implements an efficient program on traffic management, allocating 65 percent of their road for public transportation contrary to Philippines’ road map, which allots 60 percent private vehicles on the road.

“We occupy a lot of space [on the road] but we carry a small number of people,” Traffic Planning Consultant Nabor Gaviola said.

Gaviola added that a single car usually accommodates at most two people.

According to Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Philippines is losing P2.4 million everyday because of traffic. If it is not alleviated by 2030, the country might lose up to P6 billion.

Officer-in-Charge of Metropolitan Development Planning Service Sheila Gail Satura-Quingco assured that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is taking the necessary measures to ease traffic problem, which will include road pricing and vehicle quota system.

Quingco also mentioned several programs such as traffic ticketing system, yellow and bus lanes, and number code schemes which are already implemented.

However, no specific plans for public transportation were laid yet, except from the proposal of Department of Tourism Operations Officer Ramon Tiongco Jr. to have a rapid bus transport.

“We need to trust the government. Give our government a chance that the leaders being set are qualified people and they can do their job. If we can trust them and get on the act together, then maybe the effect of change can be seen,” Tiongco said. –B. Decena