MMDA Plan to solve Metro Manila traffic

Thousands of tired souls traversed the wet Taft and Espana avenues hoping to catch a city jeepney which will ply them to their homes. Young, old, men, women and children all walked almost two kilometers away from the nearest place where they all jockeyed for that spot inside the jeep. Almost all were tired from the walking under the heat of the blazing midday sun.

I shudder to think what will happen if these scenes began during a thunderstorm or a spontaneous rain shower. It would have sparked a revolt.

I heard a commuter advocate say that roads were constructed for commuters. Yes, the very reason why there are roads is for people use. Lately, the paradigm has shifted, and perceptions dashed. Now, roads are for vehicles plying people. The people have been relegated to the sidelines.

This is what is happening not just in Manila but in the next few weeks, even the lives of those outside the capital city will be changed.

The MMDA has this plan of creating an integrated transport system. It is a good idea, which I dare say, should have been done and completed decades ago. Integrating transport is good if government have developed them. Integrating them for these sectors to be "developed" is wrong. Government needs to develop the road system, the rail system and even the pedestrian system and thereafter, integrate them. If these systems are still underdeveloped, then, what would happen next? Chaos and confusion, that is.

For example, it is a good idea that provincial buses go to a central station. Other countries have that. However, if you do not have a system or a developed system wherein routes from every direction goes to this central system in an efficient manner, what will happen to your idea of centralization? How would you centralize things which were built in a de-centralized manner? Obviously, this will lead to confusion, decay and further deterioration?

Likewise, the plan of the MMDA is capricious and anti-poor, why? You will require 4.5 million Filipino commuters who live in the suburbs to walk several kilometers from the place of disembarkation to the central bus terminal. Some ask--what's wrong with that? Walking towards the station is like exercise. Excuse me, but if it will require me to walk a kilometer or two, with a bag filled with heavy things, that is not sacrifice but foolishness.

MMDA should study the plan further to avoid public confusion and possibly disaster.

Small acts that will help ease traffic in Metro Manila

People should be engaged in solving the highly serious traffic problem here in Metro Manila. I am a perennial victim of traffic here, and I believe that, this is actually a case of miscommunication or the lack of it. Ordinary citizens like us can do our share in easing traffic congestion, if we exercise the following:

1. Stay in your respective lanes. Traffic gets worse when motorists try to shift lanes. Don't. Nothing really happens much in an EDSA traffic where the main thoroughfare converts into a temporary parking lot. So, best if you just stay in your lane.

2. Read traffic signs very carefully. Notice how some motorists cause traffic when they failed to appreciate the meanings of broken and unbroken lines. When you're in an unbroken line, try not to shift away and just follow what unbroken lines mean.

3. Follow traffic reduction schemes. If you are "color coded" today, follow the rule and don't try to use your vehicle. Just use public transport or if it's possible, walk to your office.

4. If you shift, use signals. Some motorists have this tendency of just "shocking" his fellow motorists by immediately shifting without warning. Don't be an arse. Make appropriate signals when shifting or moving your vehicle to the left or right.

5. Check your vehicle before hitting the road. One less stalled vehicle means better traffic flow.

6. One way is one way. Some motorists really piss others off when they convert one ways into two ways or when they try to force themselves into a situation. Again, there's nothing more pleasant to see other motorists giving you the thumb sign instead of the middle finger.

Bus Operators should be arrested and jailed due to strike

Today started like hell. 

Thousands of abusive bus operators and drivers launched their strike against the MMDA policy of imposing the number coding scheme. MMDA implemented the said traffic scheme to ease traffic in Metro Manila. 

Bus operators say they have the right to oppose the said policy. The strike caused humongous traffic in many parts of the metropolis. Chaos ensued as pedestrians filled the streets, waiting for their buses. 

LRT and MRT are packed to their maximum capacities, while MMDA promised to provide free ferries but until about 8:30 in the morning today, no salvation in sight. 

I disagree.

Operators are just given the privilege, not the right, to ply the routes in Metro Manila. It is well within the rights of the MMDA to impose such a scheme.

President Aquino should not back down in this showdown against these abusive bus operators and drivers. 

This is probably the time when government should put its foot down and arrest and jail these economic saboteurs. 

These big bus operators should be arrested from their homes, slapped with criminal and civil charges and their licenses and permits to operate be revoked.

This number coding should be implemented in Metro Manila. Buses should be the ones who must be imposed such a scheme, not private vehicles. The odd-even scheme is best enough for private vehicles. But for abusive bus operators, they should not be given a nice treatment. There is a limit to one's rights, and when franchises are being discussed, this is clearly a privilege not an inherent right.