Readers give more suggestions on traffic woes

We have more readers who want to express their views and suggestions on solving the traffic problems confronting Metro Manila commuters. This one is from Constancio de Leon who wrote:

“For the last 30 years, I’ve lived in Loyola Heights, an upscale residential community across Katipunan Ave. in front of Ateneo de Manila and Miriam College.

“Recently, the area has attracted the attention of real estate big boys. SM, Villar and Filinvest, among others, have somehow managed to get around city land-use and zoning regulations to put up high-rise buildings in the area.

“Added to this is the rerouting of monstrous trucks through Katipunan. These are contributing heavily to attracting vehicular traffic along the avenue. The situation would still be tolerable if these traffic jams have not affected and blocked Xavierville Ave. and our backstreets that are accessible from the Chico and Anonas road network.

“Today, I worry whenever I hear the frequent wailing of sirens, which can only announce desperate emergency fire or ambulance conductions or disasters. Village vehicles including those not covered by MMDA’s coding scheme, are often just parked in the subdivision. To get around the area, the fastest way is to ride a tricycle that counter the flow of stalled traffic or just walk.

“Such is modern life in Metro Manila where congestion is going to be a serious flash point for the next president. It is unfortunate that predecessors have failed to heed calls for a long-range development plan.

Urgently needed

“Long-term urban renewal plans are desperately needed in Metro Manila, a metropolitan agglomeration of nearly 13 million, if the Philippine capital is to stave off negative effects on the economy caused by congestion, poor health and negative foreign perception.

“One way to achieve this is by diffusing the population away from Manila and thus circumscribing wayward growth. ‘Metro Manila congestion can be reduced and migration to the big city can be scaled back,’ Felino Palafox, founder and managing partner of Palafox Associates, an architecture firm, said during a speech at the Asia CEO Forum in Makati on May 29.

“Strong urban growth away from Metro Manila can be achieved through the clustering of major cities and by establishing major corridors away from the capital, he said, pointing to urban agglomerations that could take place across central Luzon, such as in Bulacan and Cavite.

“Furthermore, it is obvious that there is no effective city planning to speak of in Metro Manila – instead, politicians, contractors and lawyers are tweaking available urban development zoning regulations over the dictates of pertinent city planning and development offices.”

Radical solution

This next one comes from Rey Lantin of Los Baños, Laguna. He writes: “About two years ago, I wrote as comment in the Internet news about the same traffic topic and suggested a solution. Apparently, LTO, MMDA, LFTRB, and other officials who are responsible for solving such traffic problems have ignored the suggestion or failed to read what I wrote. The scheme is radical but that may be a solution.

“If you have a car and drive it on EDSA to go to work, then you are affected. I also have a car and take the bus instead if my destination is along or near EDSA.

“The suggested solution for EDSA: Ban all private vehicles on EDSA during rush hours and let car and SUV users take the bus. Bus companies may field tourist buses (a special LFTRB ruling may be needed for this) if they don’t want to give up the luxury or avoid traveling with the working class who need to be at their workstations on time more than the executives who can go to work before or after the rush hours.

“Interestingly, only one posted a negative reaction – his only concern was about his personal safety when riding the bus (this problem can be addressed somehow).

“Rationale: Three or four private vehicles carrying only one or two passengers each, including the driver, occupy the same road space as a bus carrying some 100 passengers.

“The discrepancy in the number of passenger-kilometers per unit length of road is easily seen. The private vehicles are the ones causing the traffic yet they contribute less to moving people to work and hamper the mass transport of the needy ones.

“If private vehicles are banned during rush hours, the traffic flow of buses will be eased tremendously and commuters get to work relaxed, fresh and on time, hence, become more productive. Bus drivers can make round trips easily and increase their income.

“I am sure executives can adjust their work and meeting schedules. Most of them rose from the ranks and had been commuters during their younger or student days. If for example, the executive must be in a business suit for a function, he can change at his office where he keeps a second wardrobe or send his driver very early in the morning to bring his essential things like laptop or cash and other valuables. He can travel dressed up casually blending with the common commuters with no cash or valuables, not even a wallet or credit card (just fare money) with him/her that will attract pickpockets. He/she can walk from the get-off point to office and get the exercise, which is good for his/her health and for his character too.

“This scheme may be tried for say a week as experiment with about one month information drive prior to implementation and practice if the neophyte bus riders desire so.

“If the scheme works out well, implementation may be extended while being improved until it becomes a permanent one, pending construction of skyways and subways and improvement/expansion of the MRT services and facilities.

“EDSA was once the scene of People Power which stopped traffic. Now, with this scheme Poor People Power (PPP) is restored even for a brief period of one or two hours. If car and SUV owners cooperate, the rush hours may be shortened because employees can get to their work stations much faster than before.”

This last comment, albeit short, from Veegee Garcia, goes: “Try to solve the ‘smaller’ causes like obstructions along alternate routes. With a problem as huge as what the traffic situation in MM has become, even little/partial solution may help.” –Rey Gamboa (The Philippine Star)