EDSA busway to subway: DOTr chief hits ground running
Metro Manila, Philippines – The new transportation chief is bent on easing the commute in and around Metro Manila by improving on current systems and pursuing connectivity projects.
In his first briefing after taking oath in Malacañang, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said while public transport issues are longstanding, immediate measures that can help alleviate traffic congestion.
EDSA busway
Dizon first said that the EDSA Busway is here to stay but with improvements on run time.
"May mga bus tayo na tumatagal doon kasi alam mo naman, gustong mapuno iyong bus eh, ‘di ba. So dahil doon, nagkaka-clog iyong busway," said Dizon.
[Translation: Some buses stay too long on one spot because, as we know, they wait to be fully loaded. That causes congestion on the busway.]
He said other countries have addressed this issue by setting strict time limits at stops.
"Maglagay lang tayo ng timer doon, 30 seconds ka lang, 45 seconds ka lang. Kapag nag-timeout, no choice ka, kailangan kang umabante ke puno ang bus mo o hindi," he added.
[Translation: We should install timers - 30 or 45 seconds max. Once the time is up, buses must move whether full or not.]
More MRT, LRT train sets
Dizon said he is also pushing for more train sets for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems to accommodate more passengers, especially during rush hour.
"Carrying capacity ang usapan diyan eh. ‘Di ba, X number of people line up during rush hour, ‘di ba, ilang ang tren mo? Ilan ang bagon mo? Ilan ang capacity ng isang bagon? Kailangan magdagdag tayo diyan," he said.
[Translation: It's all about carrying capacity. During rush hour, a certain number of people line up - so how many trains do we have? How many cars per train? What's the capacity of each car? We need to increase those numbers.]
More EDSA walkways
To improve pedestrian mobility, Dizon said he wants to revive plans for more walkways on major roads like EDSA.
"Iyan naman, para sa ating walking commuters, iyong mga hindi naman kailangan talagang … iyong ayaw pumila nang matagal kasi maglalakad lang siguro ng isang kilometro. Ang problema, walang sidewalk sa EDSA, o kung mayroon man, baka dalawa tayo, hindi tayo magkakasya eh ‘di ba; at hindi safe, delikado," he added.
[Translation: This is for our walking commuters - those who don’t need to queue for transport because they’re only walking a kilometer or so. The problem is, EDSA has no proper sidewalks, or if there are, they’re too narrow for two people to fit. It’s unsafe and dangerous]
Pasig River Ferry
Dizon said he is also looking to revitalize the Pasig River Ferry system to maximize public transport options.
"People use it to get from point A to point B. Kahit nga iyong mga turista, iyon ang gustong-gustong ginagamit sa Bangkok eh. Bakit hindi natin magawa dito? Eh tingin ko sa Asya, tayo din ang unang naglagay niyan," he added.
[Translation: People use it as a means of transport. Even tourists love using it in Bangkok—so why can't we make it work here? I believe we were one of the first in Asia to introduce this system]
Long-term projects
Dizon said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed him to accelerate key transportation infrastructure projects to ease the burden on commuters.
"So, ang sinabi niya unang-una, iyong mga ongoing na – subway, kailangan ngang bilisan iyan, game-changer iyan para sa mga kababayan natin. Ako talaga, wish ko lang na tayong lahat dito sa kuwartong ‘to at mga kababayan natin, in our lifetime ma-experience nating may subway tayo sa Pilipinas," said Dizon, referring to the Metro Manila Subway.
[Translation: The president told me that for ongoing projects - like the subway - we need to speed things up. It’s a game-changer for our people. I truly hope that in our lifetime, all of us here and our fellow Filipinos will finally experience having a subway in the Philippines.]
Another top priority is the North-South Commuter Railway.
"Kasi kapag mayroon kang magandang connectivity via rail, halimbawa taga-Bulacan ka o Pampanga ka, nagtatrabaho ka sa Metro Manila – hindi ka na kailangan mag-apartment dito eh ‘di ba," said Dizon.
[Translation: With good rail connectivity, if you’re from Bulacan or Pampanga and work in Metro Manila, you won’t even need to rent an apartment here.]
The transportation chief is also pushing for more regional airports and agricultural ports to boost connectivity and trade.
